Inferior gluteal artery 4385193 188711751 2008-02-03T01:33:09Z 201.37.83.168 {{Infobox Artery | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = arteria glutea inferior | GraySubject = 155 | GrayPage = 620 | Image = Gray1244.png | Caption = Left gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve. | Image2 = Internal iliac branches.PNG| Caption2 = [[Internal iliac artery]] and branches, including inferior gluteal artery. | BranchFrom = [[Internal iliac artery]] | BranchTo = [[Accompanying artery of ischiadic nerve]] | Vein = [[inferior gluteal veins]] | Supplies = [[Gluteus maximus muscle]], [[Piriformis muscle]], [[Quadratus femoris muscle]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12154415 | }} The '''inferior gluteal artery''' ('''sciatic artery'''), the larger of the two terminal branches of the anterior trunk of the [[internal iliac artery]], is distributed chiefly to the [[buttock]] and back of the thigh. It passes down on the [[sacral plexus]] of nerves and the [[Piriformis]], behind the [[internal pudendal artery]], to the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen, through which it escapes from the pelvis between the [[Piriformis]] and [[Coccygeus]]. It then descends in the interval between the [[greater trochanter]] of the [[femur]] and tuberosity of the [[ischium]], accompanied by the sciatic and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves, and covered by the [[Glutæus maximus]], and is continued down the back of the thigh, supplying the skin, and anastomosing with branches of the [[perforating arteries]]. ==See also== * [[Superior gluteal artery]] ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray544.png|The arteries of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions. Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. </gallery> ==External links== * {{DukeOrtho|inferior_gluteal_artery}} * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|43|07|12}} - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. " * {{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|pelvicarteries}}) {{Gray's}} {{circulatory-stub}} {{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}} [[pt:Artéria glútea inferior]]