Iliolumbar artery

Iliolumbar artery is a branch of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery which supplies blood to the iliac and lumbar regions.

Anatomy

The iliolumbar artery arises from the posterior division of the internal iliac artery, just above the upper edge of the greater sciatic foramen. It ascends obliquely upward behind the obturator nerve and the external iliac vessels to the medial border of the psoas major, behind which it lies. It then passes behind the common iliac vessels and ascends on the left side of the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra to the side of the vertebral column.

Branches

The iliolumbar artery gives off two main branches:

• Iliac branch: This branch descends to supply the iliacus muscle and anastomoses with the deep iliac circumflex artery and the obturator artery.
• Lumbar branch: This branch ascends to supply the muscles of the back. It anastomoses with the last lumbar artery and sends a small spinal branch into the vertebral canal, through the intervertebral foramen between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, to supply the cauda equina and the membranes of the spinal cord.

Clinical significance

The iliolumbar artery can be involved in various medical conditions, including lumbar artery syndrome, pelvic congestion syndrome, and lumbar hernia. It can also be a source of significant bleeding in pelvic fractures.

See also

• Internal iliac artery
• Lumbar artery
• Iliac artery

References

• 
  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the iliolumbar artery
• Histological slide showing iliolumbar artery
  Histological slide showing iliolumbar artery