Pudendal artery

Pudendal Artery

The internal pudendal artery of the male.

The internal pudendal artery of the female.

The Pudendal Artery is one of the main arteries supplying blood to the pelvis and perineum. It originates from the internal iliac artery and follows a course that includes the gluteal region, perineum, and external genitalia.

Anatomy

The pudendal artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery, which is a major artery in the pelvis. It travels through the greater sciatic foramen and around the sacrospinous ligament to reach the perineum. It then divides into several branches, including the inferior rectal artery, perineal artery, and dorsal artery of the penis or dorsal artery of the clitoris.

Function

The pudendal artery supplies blood to the external genitalia, perineum, and lower part of the rectum. It also provides blood supply to the anal canal, urethra, and bulbourethral gland in males, and the vagina and labia in females.

Clinical Significance

Knowledge of the pudendal artery's anatomy is crucial in various surgical procedures, including prostatectomy, hysterectomy, and colorectal surgery. Damage to the pudendal artery during surgery can lead to complications such as erectile dysfunction, anal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.

See Also

• Internal iliac artery
• Perineum
• External genitalia