Gluteal artery

Gluteal artery

The gluteal artery and its branches.

The Gluteal artery is a significant blood vessel in the pelvis and lower limb. It is responsible for supplying blood to the gluteal muscles, which are the muscles in the buttocks. The gluteal artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery, which is a major artery in the pelvis.

Anatomy

The gluteal artery originates from the internal iliac artery in the pelvis. It then travels downwards and laterally, passing over the piriformis muscle and under the gluteus maximus muscle. It then divides into a superior and an inferior branch, each of which further divides to supply the various gluteal muscles.

Branches

The gluteal artery gives off several branches, including:

• The superior gluteal artery, which supplies the gluteus minimus and medius muscles.
• The inferior gluteal artery, which supplies the gluteus maximus muscle.
• The nutrient arteries, which supply the hip joint.

Clinical significance

The gluteal artery can be involved in several medical conditions, including gluteal artery aneurysm and gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm. It can also be damaged in pelvic fractures or during hip replacement surgery.

See also

• Internal iliac artery
• Gluteal muscles
• Hip joint