Internal pudendal artery 1100996 203107826 2008-04-03T19:11:07Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[it:Arteria pudenda interna]] {{Infobox Artery | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = arteria pudenda interna | GraySubject = 155 | GrayPage = 617 | Image = Gray1244.png | Caption = Left gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve. | Image2 = Gray542.png | Caption2 = The superficial branches of the [[internal pudendal artery]]. | BranchFrom = [[internal iliac artery]] | BranchTo = | Vein = [[Internal pudendal veins]] | Supplies = [[external genitalia]], [[perineum]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12155618 | }} The '''internal pudendal artery''' is an [[artery]] that branches off the [[internal iliac artery]], providing blood to the [[external genitalia]]. The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the [[internal iliac artery]]. It is smaller in the [[female]] than in the [[male]]. ==Path== It exits the [[pelvic cavity]] through the [[greater sciatic foramen]] to enter the [[gluteal region]]. It then curves around the [[sacrospinous ligament]] to enter the [[perineum]] through the [[lesser sciatic foramen]]. It travels through the [[pudendal canal]] with the [[internal pudendal veins]] and the [[pudendal nerve]]. ==Branches== The internal pudendal artery gives off the following branches: {| class="wikitable" | '''In females''' || '''In males''' || '''Description''' |- | [[Inferior rectal artery]] || [[Inferior rectal artery]] || to [[anal canal]] |- | [[Perineal artery]]|| [[Perineal artery]] || supplies [[transversus perinei superficialis muscle]] |- | [[Posterior labial branches]] || [[Posterior scrotal branches]] || - |- | [[Artery of bulb of vestibule]] || [[Artery of bulb of penis]] || supplies [[bulbourethral gland]] |- | [[Dorsal artery of clitoris]] || [[Dorsal artery of penis]] || - |- | [[Deep artery of clitoris]] || [[Deep artery of penis]] || to [[corpus cavernosum penis]] |} Some sources consider the [[urethral artery]] a direct branch of the internal pudendal artery<ref>{{Dorlands|a_61|12156483}}</ref>, while others consider it a branch of the [[perineal artery]].<ref>{{eMedicineDictionary|Urethral+artery}}</ref> In males, the internal pudendal artery also gives rise to the perforating arteries of the penis. ==Additional images== [[Image:Internal iliac branches.PNG|thumb|center|350px|[[Internal iliac artery]] with branches, including internal pudendal artery.]] <gallery> Image:Gray236.png|Right hip bone. Internal surface. Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. Image:Gray543.png|The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery. Image:Gray1158.png|Diagram of the arteries of the [[penis]]. Image:Gray588.png|The penis in transverse section, showing the bloodvessels. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Pudendal nerve]] * [[Superficial external pudendal artery]] * [[Deep external pudendal artery]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|41|04|06}} - "Inferior view of female perineum, branches of the internal pudendal artery." * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|42|03|01}} - "Branches of internal pudendal artery in the male perineum." * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|43|07|14}} - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. " * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|44|06|00}} - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the male pelvis. " * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|0|86}} * {{MedicalMnemonics|2503|||}} * {{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|pelvicarteries}}) * {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_32/32-2.HTM}} * {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_32/32-3.HTM}} * [http://kobiljak.msu.edu/CAI/ANT551/Unit03/Topic11/U3_L11_O2.html Diagram at MSU] [[Category:Arteries]] {{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}} [[fr:Artère pudendale interne]] [[it:Arteria pudenda interna]] [[pt:Artéria pudenda interna]]