Blood vesselArtery
Common iliac artery
Latin: Arteria iliaca communis sinistra
Location: Pelvis
Paired structure: one on the left and one on the right side of the body.
View the common iliac artery in 3DCourse
One of the aorta's terminal pair at L4, descends to the sacroiliac joint, and divides into internal iliac (pelvic organs and gluteal region) and external iliac (the limb's supply).
Branches
Internal iliac and external iliac arteries.
Clinical relevance
The ureter crosses its bifurcation — 'the ureter rides the bifurcation' — the landmark of pelvic surgery and of where stones lodge; aortic bifurcation clamps land here in aneurysm repair.
Related conditions
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.