Common Iliac Arteries

Common iliac arteries are two large terminal branches of abdominal aorta. They arise from the bifurcation of aorta at the level of 4th lumbar vertebra.

Dimensions:

Both right and left common iliac arteries, in adults, are about 4cm long and more than 1cm in diameter.

Origin:

Right and left common iliac arteries arise from the terminal part of abdominal aorta at the level of 4th lumbar vertebra.

Course:

After their origin, the arteries (on their respective side) run downward and laterally along the medial border of psoas muscle.

End:

Each artery ends in front of the sacroiliac joint of respective side. Each artery bifurcates into external and internal iliac arteries.

Important relation:

At the bifurcation into external and internal iliac arteries, the common iliac artery is crossed in front by the ureter. This relation is fairly constant.