Arteries of The Back

Arteries of the Back - Arranged Alphabetically
Artery
Source
Branches
Supply to
Notes
anterior radicular
they arise as multiple

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
posterior intercostal,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
they accompany the ventral

rootlets to reach the spinal
cord
meninges; spinal cord;

spinal nerve; ventral
rootlets
anterior radicular aa.

anastomose with the anterior
spinal a.
anterior spinal
contributions received
from several arteries
(vertebral, posterior
intercostal, subcostal,
lumbar, lateral sacral
aa.)
pial arterial plexus

medulla (dorsal motor
nucleus of cranial nerve
X, nucleus ambiguus,
spinal accessory nucleus
and hypoglossal nucleus)
anterior spinal a.
anastomoses with the
anterior radicular brs. of the
spinal rami of the vertebral,
subcostal, lumbar and lateral
sacral aa.
axillary
subclavian a. (axillary a.
is the continuation of
the subclavian lateral to
the 1st rib)
1st part: superior thoracic a.; pectoral region, shoulder

2nd part: thoracoacromial a., region and upper limb
lateral thoracic a.; 3rd part:
anterior humeral circumflex
a., posterior humeral
circumflex a., subscapular a.
pectoralis minor m. crosses

anterior to the axillary artery
and is used to delineate the 3
parts mentioned at left
cervical, ascending
inferior thyroid a.
unnamed muscular branches
deep muscles of the neck
ascending cervical a. ascends

on the anterior surface of the
anterior scalene m. beside the
phrenic n.
cervical, deep
costocervical trunk
deep muscles of the

posterior neck
deep cervical a. anastomoses

with the occipital a. near the
occipital bone
cervical, transverse
thyrocervical trunk
unnamed muscular branches, trapezius muscle and

possibly the dorsal scapular surrounding tissues
a.
transverse cervical a. gives

rise to the dorsal scapular a.
~30% of the time
costocervical trunk
subclavian a., 2nd part
deep cervical a., highest

intercostal a.
deep muscles of the

posterior neck; posterior
ends of the first 2
intercostal spaces
costocervical trunk is located

between the anterior scalene
m. and the middle scalene
m.; it arches posteriorly over
the cervical parietal pleura
deep cervical
costocervical trunk
deep muscles of the

posterior neck
deep cervical a. anastomoses

with the occipital a. near the
occipital bone
dorsal scapular
subclavian a., 3rd part
levator scapulae m.,

rhomboideus major m.,
rhomboideus minor m.
dorsal scapular a.
suprascapular a. and the
subscapular a. to form the
scapular anastomosis; dorsal
scapular a is a branch of the
transverse cervical a. in
~30% of cases
great anterior radicular
the spinal br. of the

lower posterior
intercostal a., subcostal
a., or upper lumbar a.,
usually on left
no named branches
lower spinal cord
great anterior radicular a.

anterior spinal a. at lower
thoracic or upper lumbar
spinal cord levels
intercostal, posterior
highest intercostal
(upper 2 intercostal
spaces), descending
thoracic aorta (3rd-11th
intercostal spaces)
posterior br., spinal br.,

anterior br., collateral br.,
lateral cutaneous br.
intercostal muscles, spinal

cord and vertebral
column, deep back
muscles, skin and
superficial fascia
overlying the intercostal
spaces
posterior intercostal aa.

supply the lateral and
posterior portions of the
intercostal space; anterior
intercostal aa. supply the
anterior portions of the
intercostal spaces
lateral sacral
internal iliac a.,

posterior division
spinal brs.
sacrum, sacral nerve

rootlets, meninges,
adjacent muscles
there are usually 2 lateral

sacral aa. on each side, a
superior one and an inferior
one
lumbar
abdominal aorta
anterior br., posterior br.,

spinal br.
psoas major m., psoas

minor m., quadratus
lumborum m., spinal cord
and vertebral column,
deep back muscles
the 4 lumbar arteries on each

side arise from the posterior
surface of the aorta at the
level of vertebrae L1-L4;
they course posterior to the
psoas major m.
median sacral
abdominal aorta
5th lumbar aa.
sacrum
median sacral a. appears to

be the continuation of the
abdominal aorta in the
median plane, although it is
much smaller in size
posterior radicular

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
no named branches

spinal nerve; dorsal
rootlets
posterior radicular aa.

accompany the dorsal
rootlets; they anastomose
with the posterior spinal aa.
posterior spinal
(posterior inferior
cerebellar, vertebral,
subcostal, lumbar,
lateral sacral aa.)
spinal cord, especially the

dorsal columns; medulla
(nucleus cuneatus and
nucleus gracilis)
paired; posterior spinal aa.

anastomose with the
posterior radicular brs. of the
sacral aa.
radicular, anterior

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,

cord

spinal nerve; ventral
rootlets
anterior radicular aa.

anastomose with the anterior
spinal a.
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
radicular, great anterior

lower posterior
usually on left
no named branches
lower spinal cord

spinal cord levels
radicular, posterior

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
no named branches

rootlets
posterior radicular aa.

sacral, lateral
internal iliac a.,

posterior division
spinal brs.

rootlets, meninges,
adjacent muscles

one
sacral, median
abdominal aorta
5th lumbar aa.
sacrum
median sacral a. appears to

be the continuation of the
abdominal aorta in the
median plane, although it is
much smaller in size
scapular, circumflex
subscapular a.
teres major m., teres

circumflex scapular a.
minor m., infraspinatus m. anastomoses with the
dorsal scapular a. to form the
scapular anastomosis
scapular, dorsal

dorsal scapular a.

scapular anastomosis; dorsal
scapular a is a branch of the
transverse cervical a. in
~30% of cases
spinal, anterior
aa.)

nucleus of cranial nerve
X, nucleus ambiguus,
spinal accessory nucleus
and hypoglossal nucleus)
the anterior spinal a.

anterior radicular brs. of the
sacral aa.
spinal, posterior
(posterior inferior
subcostal, lumbar,
lateral sacral aa.)

nucleus gracilis)

anastomose with the
posterior radicular brs. of the
sacral aa.
thoracodorsal
subscapular a.
latissimus dorsi m.
thoracodorsal a. accompanies
the thoracodorsal n.
transverse cervical
thyrocervical trunk

possibly the dorsal scapular surrounding tissues
a.

rise to the dorsal scapular a.
~30% of the time
trunk, costocervical

intercostal a.

between the anterior scalene
m. and the middle scalene
m.; it arches posteriorly over
the cervical parietal pleura
deep muscles of the

ends of the first 2
intercostal spaces
trunk, thyrocervical
subclavian a., 1st part
inferior thyroid a., transverse lower neck, posterior

cervical a., suprascapular a. shoulder, thyroid gland
thyrocervical trunk does not

give rise to the ascending
cervical a.- it is a branch of
the inferior thyroid a.
vertebral
subclavian a.(1st part)
spinal brs., muscular brs.,

anterior spinal a., posterior
inferior cerebellar a.,
medullary brs., meningeal
brs., basilar a.
vertebral a. anastomoses with

the internal carotid a. in the
cerebral arterial circle (of
Willis); it courses through
the transverse foramina of
vertebrae C1-C6
deep neck, cervical spinal

cord, spinal cord; medulla
(dorsal motor nucleus of
cranial nerve X, nucleus
ambiguus, spinal
accessory nucleus and
hypoglossal nucleus)
Arteries of the Thorax - Arranged Alphabetically

Artery
Source
Branches
anterior intercostal
internal thoracic a. (upper unnamed muscular

6 intercostal spaces),
branches
musculophrenic a. (7-10th
intercostal spaces)
anterior radicular

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
Supply to
intercostal muscles
anteriorly; skin
overlying the
intercostal muscles
Notes
there are two anterior intercostal
aa. per side per intercostal space,
one coursing above and one
coursing below each rib
they accompany the ventral meninges; spinal cord; anterior radicular aa. anastomose
rootlets to reach the spinal spinal nerve; ventral
with the anterior spinal a.
cord
rootlets
lumbar, and lateral sacral

aa.)
anterior spinal
lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)

nucleus of cranial
nerve X, nucleus
ambiguus, spinal
anterior spinal a. anastomoses

with the anterior radicular brs. of
the spinal rami of the vertebral,
posterior intercostal, subcostal,
lumbar and lateral sacral aa.
aorta, ascending
left ventricle of the heart
left and right coronary aa.
heart, entire body
ascending aorta is the shortest part

of the aorta; it continues as the
aortic arch
aorta, descending thoracic continuation of aortic

arch
posterior intercostal aa. 311, subcostal aa., left

bronchial aa. (2),
esophageal aa. (~3),
mediastinal brs., superior
phrenic aa.
thoracic wall, lungs,

posterior mediastinum,
body below the
respiratory diaphragm
descending thoracic aorta passes

posterior to the diaphragm (aortic
hiatus) at the level of the T12
vertebral body; it is continuous
with the abdominal aorta
aortic arch
the continuation of the

ascending aorta
brachiocephalic trunk, left

common carotid a., left
subclavian a.
the entire body except

the heart
aortic arch continues as the

descending thoracic aorta; the
fibrous ligamentum arteriosum
connects to the inferior surface of
the aortic arch and it marks the
location of the fetal ductus
arteriosus aortic arch continues as
the descending thoracic aorta
artery to the
atrioventricular node
right coronary a. near the

point where it becomes
the posterior
interventricular a.
no named branches
and the surrounding
myocardium
artery to the atrioventricular node

is located at the junction of the
coronary sulcus and the posterior
interventricular sulcus
artery to the sinuatrial

node
right coronary a.
no named branches
sinuatrial node and the artery to the sinuatrial node is

surrounding
important artery to locate during
myocardium
cardiac surgical procedures
ascending aorta
left ventricle of the heart
left and right coronary aa.
heart, entire body
ascending aorta is the shortest part

of the aorta; it continues as the
aortic arch
axillary
subclavian a. (axillary a.
is the continuation of the
subclavian lateral to the
1st rib)
1st part: superior thoracic

a.; 2nd part:
thoracoacromial a., lateral
thoracic a.; 3rd part:
anterior humeral
circumflex a., posterior
humeral circumflex a.,
subscapular a.
pectoral region,
shoulder region and
upper limb
pectoralis minor m. crosses

anterior to the axillary artery and
is used to delineate the 3 parts
mentioned at left
brachiocephalic trunk
aortic arch
right common carotid a.,

right subclavian a.
right side of the head

and neck; right upper
limb and right side of
the chest wall
there is only one brachiocephalic

trunk
bronchial, left
descending thoracic aorta right bronchial a.

(occasionally)
lower trachea,
bronchial tree
there are usually two left bronchial

aa.
bronchial, right
3rd right posterior

intercostal
no named branches
lower trachea,
bronchial tree
right bronchial a. may arise from

the left bronchial a.
carotid, common
(right), aortic arch (left)
external carotid a., internal most of the head and

carotid a.
upper neck
circumflex
left coronary a.
marginal br., possibly
common carotid a. bifurcates at

the level of the superior border of
the thyroid cartilage; the internal
carotid a. and the external carotid
a. are its terminal brs.; the carotid
sinus and carotid body are located
at the bifurcation
posterior surface of the circumflex a. courses in the
posterior artery of the left

ventricle
left ventricle
atrioventricular (coronary) sulcus
communicating, posterior internal carotid a.
perforating aa.
an anastomotic
connection
a vessel of anastomosis which

connects the internal carotid a. to
the posterior cerebral a.; part of
the cerebral arterial circle (of
Willis)
coronary, left
ascending aorta
anterior interventricular a., left ventricle, left

circumflex a.
atrium, anterosuperior
2/3 of the
interventricular septum
left coronary a. arises superior to

the left cusp of the aortic
semilunar valve; during its short
course, it is located in the
coronary sulcus; the anterior
interventricular a. and the
circumflex a. are its terminal brs.
coronary, right
ascending aorta
sinuatrial nodal a., right

marginal a., posterior
interventricular a.,
atrioventricular nodal a.
right ventricle, right

atrium, inferior 1/3 of
the interventricular
septum
right coronary a. usually provides

the posterior interventricular a.; it
courses within the coronary sulcus
costocervical trunk

intercostal a.
deep muscles of the

posterior neck;
posterior ends of the
first 2 intercostal
spaces

between the anterior scalene m.
and the middle scalene m.; it
arches posteriorly over the
cervical parietal pleura
epigastric, superior
internal thoracic a.
no named branches
upper rectus abdominis superior epigastric a. is the direct

m., upper abdominal
continuation of the internal
wall
thoracic a.; it s anastomoses with
the inferior epigastric a. within the
rectus abdominis m.
esophageal
descending thoracic aorta; no named branches

left gastric a.
lower 2/3rds of the

thoracic esophagus
there are usually two (sometimes

3) esophageal brs. off of the aorta;
the left gastric a. gives esophageal

brs. that ascend to supply the
abdominal esophagus and lowest
part of the thoracic esophagus;
anastomoses occur between the
esophageal brs. of the aorta and
left gastric a.
intercostal, anterior
internal thoracic a. (upper unnamed muscular

branches
musculophrenic a. (7-10th
intercostal spaces)
intercostal muscles
anteriorly; skin
overlying the
intercostal muscles
intercostal, highest
costocervical trunk
highest intercostal (upper posterior br., spinal br.,

descending thoracic aorta lateral cutaneous br.
(3rd-11th intercostal
spaces)
intercostal muscles,
spinal cord and
vertebral column, deep
back muscles, skin and
superficial fascia
overlying the
intercostal spaces
posterior intercostal aa. supply the

lateral and posterior portions of
the intercostal space; anterior
intercostal aa. supply the anterior
portions of the intercostal spaces
lateral thoracic
axillary, 2nd part
unnamed muscular
branches
serratus anterior m.,

parts of adjacent
muscles, skin and
fascia of the
anterolateral thoracic
wall
lateral thoracic a. is a rare case in

that it enters the serratus anterior
from its superficial surface
left coronary
ascending aorta
anterior interventricular a., left ventricle, left

circumflex a.
atrium, anterosuperior
posterior intercostal aa. for intercostal muscles of

intercostal spaces 1-2
intercostal spaces 1
and 2, vertebral
column, deep back
muscles
there are two anterior intercostal

aa. per side per intercostal space,
one coursing above and one
coursing below each rib
highest intercostal a. is also known
as: supreme intercostal a.
left coronary a. arises superior to

the left cusp of the aortic
2/3 of the
semilunar valve; during its short
interventricular septum course, it is located in the
coronary sulcus; the anterior
interventricular a. and the
circumflex a. are its terminal brs.
mammary, lateral
lateral thoracic a.
no named branches
lateral side of the

mammary gland
mammary gland is a specialization

of the skin and is supplied by
superficial (cutaneous) arteries
mammary, medial
perforating brs. of the

no named branches
medial side of the

mammary gland
mammary gland is a specialization

of the skin and is supplied by
superficial (cutaneous) arteries
musculophrenic
anterior intercostal aa.
anterior diaphragm,
musculophrenic a. supplies
anterior aspects of
muscles that develop in the
intercostal spaces 7-10 septum transversum
or 11
nodal, atrioventricular
right coronary a. near the

point where it becomes
the posterior
interventricular a.
no named branches
and the surrounding
myocardium
nodal, sinuatrial
right coronary a.
no named branches
sinuatrial node and the sinuatrial nodal a. is an important

surrounding
artery to locate during cardiac
myocardium
surgical procedures
pericardiacophrenic
pericardial br., sternal br.,

mediastinal br.
pericardial sac, pleura, pericardiacophrenic a.

diaphragm
accompanies the phrenic n.
pericardial
pericardiacophrenic a.
no named branches
pericardial sac
phrenic, inferior
abdominal aorta
superior suprarenal aa.
diaphragm, suprarenal inferior phrenic a. is the first

gland
abdominal branch of the aorta; it
artery to the atrioventricular node

is located at the junction of the
coronary sulcus and the posterior
interventricular sulcus
pericardial a. courses on the

external surface of the pericardial
sac
may arise from the celiac trunk

phrenic, superior
descending thoracic aorta no named branches

(2 small brs.)
diaphragm
superior phrenic a. anastomoses

with the musculophrenic a. and the
pericardiacophrenic a.
posterior intercostal
highest intercostal (upper posterior br., spinal br.,

descending thoracic aorta lateral cutaneous br.
(3rd-11th intercostal
spaces)
intercostal muscles,
spinal cord and
vertebral column, deep
back muscles, skin and
superficial fascia
overlying the
intercostal spaces
posterior intercostal aa. supply the

lateral and posterior portions of
the intercostal space; anterior
posterior radicular

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
aa.)
no named branches
meninges; spinal cord; posterior radicular aa. accompany

the dorsal rootlets; they
rootlets
anastomose with the posterior
spinal aa.
posterior spinal
(posterior inferior
subcostal, lumbar, lateral
sacral aa.)
spinal cord, especially

the dorsal columns;
medulla (nucleus
cuneatus and nucleus
gracilis)

radicular brs. of the spinal rami of
the vertebral, posterior intercostal,
sacral aa.
pulmonary trunk
right ventricle
right pulmonary a., left

pulmonary aa.
lungs
the pulmonary trunk carries

deoxygenated blood from the heart
to the right and left pulmonary aa.;
each pulmonary a. carries
deoxygenated blood to the hilum
of one lung; bronchial aa. supply
oxygenated blood to the tissues of
the lung as far distally in the

bronchial tree as the respiratory
bronchioles
radicular, anterior

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
aa.)
they accompany the ventral meninges; spinal cord; anterior radicular aa. anastomose
rootlets to reach the spinal spinal nerve; ventral
with the anterior spinal a.
cord
rootlets
the spinal br. of the lower no named branches

posterior intercostal a.,
subcostal a., or upper
lumbar a., usually on left
lower spinal cord

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
aa.)
no named branches
meninges; spinal cord; posterior radicular aa. accompany

the dorsal rootlets; they
rootlets
spinal aa.
right coronary
ascending aorta
sinuatrial nodal a., right

marginal a., posterior
interventricular a.,
atrioventricular nodal a.
right ventricle, right

atrium, inferior 1/3 of
the interventricular
septum
sinuatrial nodal
right coronary a.
no named branches
sinuatrial node and the sinuatrial nodal a. is an important

surrounding
artery to locate during cardiac
myocardium
surgical procedures
spinal, anterior

nucleus of cranial
nerve X, nucleus

anastomoses with the anterior
spinal a. at lower thoracic or upper
lumbar spinal cord levels
right coronary a. usually provides

the posterior interventricular a.; it
courses within the coronary sulcus
the anterior spinal a. anastomoses

with the anterior radicular brs. of
the spinal rami of the vertebral,
posterior intercostal, subcostal,
lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)
ambiguus, spinal
lumbar and lateral sacral aa.
spinal cord, especially

the dorsal columns;
medulla (nucleus
cuneatus and nucleus
gracilis)

radicular brs. of the spinal rami of
the vertebral, posterior intercostal,
sacral aa.
spinal, posterior
(posterior inferior
subcostal, lumbar, lateral
sacral aa.)
subclavian
brachiocephalic a. (right), 1st part: vertebral a.,

aortic arch (left)
thyrocervical trunk,
internal thoracic a.; 2nd
part: costocervical trunk;
3rd part: dorsal scapular a.
(70%)
neck, brain, spinal

cord, thyroid gland,
larynx, shoulder, chest
muscles, upper limb
subclavian a. is continuous with

the axillary a., the name change
occurs at the lateral border of the
first rib; anterior scalene muscle
passes anterior to the subclavian
a., dividing it into 3 parts
subcostal
descending thoracic aorta spinal br., collateral br.,

lateral cutaneous br.
vertebrae, spinal cord;

muscles, skin & fascia
of the upper abdominal
wall
subcostal a. is equivalent to a
posterior intercostal a., but is
named subcostal because it
courses inferior to the 12th rib
superior epigastric
no named branches
upper rectus abdominis superior epigastric a. is the direct

m., upper abdominal
continuation of the internal
wall
the inferior epigastric a. within the
rectus abdominis m.
thoracic, internal
subclavian a. (1st part)
pericardiocophrenic a.,
perforating brs., anterior
intercostal aa., mediastinal
brs., thymic brs.,
musculophrenic a., superior
epigastric a.
mediastinum, anterior
thoracic wall, anterior
abdominal wall,
respiratory diaphragm
internal thoracic a. is also known

as: internal mammary a.
thoracic, lateral
axillary a., 2nd part
unnamed muscular
branches
serratus anterior m.,

parts of adjacent
muscles, skin and
fascia of the
anterolateral thoracic
wall

thoracic, superior
axillary a., 1st part
unnamed muscular
branches
muscles of intercostal
spaces 1 and 2
superior thoracic a. anastomoses

with the intercostal aa. for
intercostal spaces 1 and 2
thoracoacromial
pectoral br., clavicular br.,

acromial br., deltoid br.
pectoralis major m.,

pectoralis minor m.,
subclavius m., deltoid
m., shoulder joint
thoracoacromial trunk pierces the

costocoracoid membrane
trunk, brachiocephalic
aortic arch
right common carotid a.,

right subclavian a.
right side of the head

and neck; right upper
limb and right side of
the chest wall

trunk

intercostal a.
deep muscles of the

posterior neck;
posterior ends of the
first 2 intercostal
spaces

between the anterior scalene m.
and the middle scalene m.; it
arches posteriorly over the
trunk, pulmonary
right ventricle
right pulmonary a., left

pulmonary aa.
lungs
the pulmonary trunk carries

deoxygenated blood from the heart
to the right and left pulmonary aa.;
each pulmonary a. carries
deoxygenated blood to the hilum
of one lung; bronchial aa. supply
oxygenated blood to the tissues of
the lung as far distally in the
bronchial tree as the respiratory
bronchioles
vertebral

brs., basilar a.
deep neck, cervical

spinal cord, spinal
cord; medulla (dorsal
motor nucleus of
cranial nerve X,
nucleus ambiguus,
spinal accessory
nucleus and
vertebral a. anastomoses with the

internal carotid a. in the cerebral
arterial circle (of Willis); it courses
through the transverse foramina of
vertebrae C1-C6
Arteries of the Abdomen - Arranged Alphabetically
Artery
Source
Branches
Supply to
Notes
anterior cecal
ileocolic a.
occasionally the appendicular

a.
cecum
anterior cecal a. supplies the

ileocecal junction
anterior inferior
pancreaticoduodenal
inferior
pancreaticoduodenal a.
pancreatic brs., duodenal brs.
lower duodenum and anterior inferior

head of the pancreas pancreaticoduodenal a.
superior pancreaticoduodenal a.
to form the anterior pancreatic
arcade
anterior inferior
pancreaticoduodenal
inferior
lower duodendum
and head of the
pancreas
anterior superior
pancreaticoduodenal
gastroduodenal a.
upper duodenum and anterior superior

inferior pancreaticoduodenal a. to
form the anterior pancreatic
arcade
aorta, abdominal

descending thoracic
aorta
inferior phrenic aa. (2), celiac

trunk, middle suprarenal aa.
(2), lumbar aa. (4 pairs),
superior mesenteric a., renal aa.
(2), testicular/ovarian aa. (2),
inferior mesenteric a., median
sacral a., common iliac aa. (2)
abdominal wall;
gastrointestinal tract;
body below the level
of the respiratory
diaphragm
appendicular
posterior cecal, anterior

cecal or ileocolic
no named branches
vermiform appendix despite its variable origin,

appendicular artery is nearly
anterior inferior
arcade
abdominal aorta passes posterior

to the diaphragm (aortic hiatus) at
the level of the T12 vertebral
body
constant in its course posterior to

the terminal part of the ileum
artery of the ductus
deferens
umbilical a.; may be a

no named branches
branch of the superior or
inferior vesical a.
ductus deferens,
artery of the ductus deferens is
seminal vesical;
also known as: deferential a.
possibly supplies the
ureter
caudal pancreatic
splenic a.
numerous small aa. that supply tail of the pancreas

the pancreas
caudal pancreatic a. enters the tail

of the pancreas near the hilum of
the spleen; it may arise from the
left gastro-omental a.
cecal, anterior
ileocolic a.
may give off the appendicular

a.
anterior surface of
the cecum
anterior cecal a. supplies the

ileocecal junction
cecal, posterior
ileocolic a.

a.
posterior surface of
the cecum
posterior cecal a. supplies the

ileocecal junction
celiac trunk
abdominal aorta at the

level of the T12-L1
intervertebral disc
left gastric a., splenic a.,

common hepatic a.
stomach, lower
esophagus, liver,
upper duodenum,
pancreas, spleen
celiac trunk supplies the foregut

derivatives
circumflex iliac, deep
external iliac a.
iliacus muscle and

deep circumflex iliac a. courses
the lower abdominal along the iliac crest on the inner
wall
surface of the abdominal wall
circumflex iliac,
superficial
femoral a.
superficial fascia of
lower abdomen and
thigh
superficial circumflex iliac a.

crosses the upper thigh parallel to
the inguinal ligament
colic, left
inferior mesenteric a.
ascending br., descending br.
descending colon
left colic a. anastomoses with the

middle colic a and the sigmoid
a.to form part of the marginal a.
colic, middle
superior mesenteric
right br., left br.
transverse colon
middle colic a. anastomoses with

the right colic a. and the left colic
a. to form part of the marginal a.

colic, right
superior mesenteric (or

br. of)
ascending colon
right colic a. anastomoses with

the ileocolic a. and the middle
colic a. to form part of the
marginal a.
common hepatic
celiac trunk
gastroduodenal a., proper

hepatic a.
liver, upper part of

the duodenum, part
of the pancreas, part
of the stomach
common hepatic a. is one of three

brs. of the celiac trunk (see also:
left gastric a., splenic a.)
common iliac
abdominal aorta
external iliac a., internal iliac a. pelvis, lower limb
abdominal aorta bifurcates at the

level of the L4 vertebral body to
form the right and left common
iliac aa.; the common iliac artery
bifurcates anterior to the
sacroiliac articulation into its
terminal brs. (external iliac a. and
internal iliac a.)
cremasteric
inferior epigastric a.
no named branches
cremaster m.,
coverings of the
spermatic cord
cremasteric a. is one of the

contents of the spermatic cord; it
anastomoses with the testicular
artery distally
cystic
right hepatic a. (or

superior mesenteric a.,
proper hepatic a., left
hepatic a.,
gastroduodenal a.)
no named branches
gall bladder
cystic a. arises from the right

hepatic a. in ~72% of cases; other
possible origins are noted at left
and are clinically relevant during
gall bladder surgery
dorsal pancreatic
splenic a.
right br., left br.
neck of the pancreas right br.of the dorsal pancreatic a.

in the prepancreatic arcade
ductus deferens, artery of
umbilical a.; may be a

no named branches
branch of the superior or
inferior vesical a.
ductus deferens,
seminal vesical;
ureter
epigastric, inferior
external iliac a.
cremasteric a.
lower rectus
abdominis m.,
pyramidalis m.,
lower abdominal
wall
epigastric, superficial
femoral a.
cutaneous brs.
superficial fascia and superficial epigastric a. is one of

skin of the lower
three superficial arteries that arise
abdominal wall
from the femoral a. (see also:
superficial circumflex iliac a. and
superficial external pudendal a.)
epigastric, superior
no named branches
upper rectus
superior epigastric a. is the direct
abdominis m., upper continuation of the internal
abdominal wall
the inferior epigastric a. within
the rectus abdominis m.
esophageal
descending thoracic
aorta; left gastric a.
no named branches
lower 2/3rds of the

thoracic esophagus
there are usually two (sometimes

3) esophageal brs. off of the
aorta; the left gastric a. gives
esophageal brs. that ascend to
supply the abdominal esophagus
and lowest part of the thoracic
esophagus; anastomoses occur
between the esophageal brs. of
the aorta and left gastric a.
gastric, left
celiac a.
esophageal brs.
superior part of the

stomach near the
lesser curvature
left gastric a. anastomoses with

the right gastric a. on the lesser
curvature of the stomach; it also
inferior epigastric m.
anastomoses with the superior
epigastric m. within the rectus
abdominis m.
anastomoses with the esophageal

brs. of the thoracic aorta
gastric, right
proper hepatic a.
no named branches
inferior part of the

stomach near the
lesser curvature
right gastric a. anastomoses with

the left gastric a. on the lesser
curvature of the stomach
gastric, short
splenic a.
no named branches
fundus and upper

part of the stomach
near the greater
curvature
short gastric aa. reach the

stomach by passing through the
gastrosplenic ligament; they are
usually 4-5 in number
gastro-omental, left
splenic a.
gastric brs., omental brs.
mid-part of the
stomach near the
greater curvature;
greater omentum
anastomoses with the right
gastro-omental a. near the greater
curvature of the stomach; also
known as: left gastroepiploic a.
gastro-omental, right
gastroduodenal a.
lower part of the

pyloric region of the
stomach, right part
of greater curvature
of the stomach,
greater omentum
right gastro-omental a
anastomoses with the left gastroomental a. near the greater
known as: right gastroepiploic a.
gastroduodenal
common hepatic a.
supraduodenal aa.,
retroduodenal aa., posterior
superior pancreaticoduodenal
a., anterior superior
pancreaticoduodenal a., right
gastro-omental a.
upper duodenum,
gastroduodenal a. supplies the
upper part of the
lowest portion of the foregut and
head of the pancreas; its derivatives
greater curvature of
the stomach on the
right
great anterior radicular

lower posterior
no named branches
lower spinal cord

spinal a. at lower thoracic or
upper lumbar spinal cord levels
usually on left
hepatic, common
celiac trunk
gastroduodenal a., proper

hepatic a.
liver, upper parts of common hepatic a. supplies some

the duodenum, upper of the foregut derivatives
part of the pancreas,
right side of the
stomach
hepatic, left
proper hepatic a.
segmental aa.
left lobe of the liver,

quadrate lobe of the
liver, part of the
caudate lobe of the
liver
left hepatic a. supplies the liver

parenchyma and stroma; an
aberrant left hepatic a. may arise
from the left gastric a.
hepatic, proper
common hepatic a.
right gastric, right & left

hepatic
liver, lesser
curvature of the
stomach
proper hepatic a. supplies the

foregut derivatives associated
with the liver bud
hepatic, right
proper hepatic a.
cystic a., segmental aa.
right lobe of the

liver, part of the
caudate lobe of the
liver
right hepatic a. supplies the liver

parenchyma and stroma
ileocolic
superior mesenteric a.
colic br., anterior cecal br.,

cecum, appendix,
posterior cecal br., appendicular terminal portion of
a., ileal br.
the ileum
colic br. of the ileocolic a.

participates in the formation of
the marginal a.
iliac, common
abdominal aorta
external iliac a., internal iliac a. pelvis, lower limb

sacroiliac articulation into its
terminal brs. (external iliac a. and
internal iliac a.)
iliac, external
common iliac a.
inferior epigastric a., deep
external iliac a. is continuous
lower limb
circumflex iliac a., femoral a.
with the femoral a., the name

change occurs at the inguinal
ligament; the common iliac artery
sacroiliac articulation
anterior division gives rise to

pelvic viscera,
the : umbilical a., obturator a., gluteal region, hip,
uterine a., vaginal a., inferior
medial thigh
vesical a., middle rectal a.,
internal pudendal a., inferior
gluteal a.; posterior division
gives rise to the: iliolumbar a.,
lateral sacral a., superior gluteal
a.
common iliac artery bifurcates

anterior to the sacroiliac
articulation to form the internal
iliac a. and the external iliac a.
iliac, internal
common iliac a.
iliolumbar
internal iliac a., posterior iliac br., lumbar br.

division
iliacus m., psoas

major m., quadratus
lumborum m.
lumbar br. of the iliolumbar a.

sends a small spinal br. into the
vertebral canal
inferior epigastric
external iliac a.
lower rectus
abdominis m.,
pyramidalis m.,
lower abdominal
wall
inferior epigastric m.
abdominis m.
inferior mesenteric

left colic a., sigmoid aa.(2-3),
level of the L3 vertebral superior rectal a.
body
splenic flexure,
descending colon,
sigmoid colon,
superior part of
rectum
branches of the inferior

mesenteric a anastomose in the
marginal artery
inferior pancreatic
dorsal pancreatic, left br. no named branches
lower part of the

inferior pancreatic a. may be
body of the pancreas imbedded in the substance of the
gland
cremasteric a.
inferior
pancreaticoduodenal
anterior inferior
pancreaticoduodenal a.,
posterior inferior
lower duodenum,
inferior pancreaticoduodenal a.
head of the pancreas supplies both the anterior and
posterior surfaces of the lower
duodenum and lower part of the
head of the pancreas
inferior phrenic
abdominal aorta
diaphragm,
suprarenal gland
inferior phrenic a. is the first

inferior rectal
internal pudendal a.
no named branches
anus, ischioanal
fossa
inferior rectal a. anastomoses

with the middle rectal a. and the
superior rectal a.
inferior suprarenal
renal a.
numerous unnamed branches
inferior aspect of the inferior suprarenal a. may

suprarenal gland
anastomose with the superior
suprarenal a.
highest intercostal
spaces), descending
intercostal spaces)
posterior br., spinal br., anterior intercostal muscles,

br., collateral br., lateral
spinal cord and
cutaneous br.
vertebral column,
deep back muscles,
skin and superficial
fascia overlying the
intercostal spaces
posterior intercostal aa. supply

the lateral and posterior portions
of the intercostal space; anterior
internal iliac
common iliac a.
anterior division gives rise to

pelvic viscera,
the : umbilical a., obturator a., gluteal region, hip,
uterine a., vaginal a., inferior
medial thigh
vesical a., middle rectal a.,
internal pudendal a., inferior
gluteal a.; posterior division
gives rise to the: iliolumbar a.,
lateral sacral a., superior gluteal
a.

intestinal
arterial arches
jejunum, ileum
lateral sacral
internal iliac a., posterior spinal brs.

division
sacrum, sacral nerve there are usually 2 lateral sacral

rootlets, meninges,
aa. on each side, a superior one
adjacent muscles
and an inferior one
left colic
descending colon
left colic a. anastomoses with the

middle colic a and the sigmoid
a.to form part of the marginal a.
left gastric
celiac a.
esophageal brs.

stomach near the
lesser curvature
left gastric a. anastomoses with

the right gastric a. on the lesser
curvature of the stomach; it also
anastomoses with the esophageal
brs. of the thoracic aorta
left gastro-omental
splenic a.
mid-part of the
stomach near the
greater curvature;
greater omentum
anastomoses with the right
gastro-omental a. near the greater
known as: left gastroepiploic a.
left hepatic
proper hepatic a.
segmental aa.
left lobe of the liver,

quadrate lobe of the
liver, part of the
caudate lobe of the
liver
left hepatic a. supplies the liver

parenchyma and stroma; an
aberrant left hepatic a. may arise
from the left gastric a.
lumbar
abdominal aorta
anterior br., posterior br., spinal psoas major m.,

br.
psoas minor m.,
quadratus lumborum
m., spinal cord and
vertebral column,
deep back muscles
the 4 lumbar arteries on each side

arise from the posterior surface of
the aorta at the level of vertebrae
L1-L4; they course posterior to
the psoas major m.
marginal
formed by anastomoses
colic brs.
an important anastomosis for the
colon
intestinal aa. are 12-15 in number

and are found in the mesentery
of branches of the
ileocolic a., right colic
a., middle colic a., left
colic a., sigmoid a.
large intestine
median sacral
abdominal aorta
5th lumbar aa.
sacrum
median sacral a. appears to be the

continuation of the abdominal
aorta in the median plane,
although it is much smaller in
size
mesenteric, inferior

left colic a., sigmoid aa.(2-3),
level of the L3 vertebral superior rectal a.
body
splenic flexure,
descending colon,
sigmoid colon,
superior part of
rectum
branches of the inferior

mesenteric a anastomose in the
marginal artery
mesenteric, superior

inferior pancreaticoduodenal a., inferior part of the
level of the lower 1/3 of middle colic a., jejunal a., ileal head of the pancreas,
the L1 vertebral body
a., right colic a., ileocolic a.
distal duodenum,
jejunum, ileum,
cecum, appendix,
ascending colon,
transverse colon
superior mesenteric a. supplies

the midgut derivatives; brs. of the
superior mesenteric a. participate
in formation of the marginal
artery
middle colic
superior mesenteric
right br., left br.
transverse colon
middle colic a. anastomoses with

the right colic a. and the left colic
a. to form part of the marginal a.
middle rectal
internal iliac, anterior

division
no named branches
middle portion of the middle rectal a. anastomoses with

rectum
the inferior rectal a and the
superior rectal a.
middle suprarenal
abdominal aorta
medial side of the

suprarenal gland
middle suprarenal a. anastomoses

with the superior suprarenal a.
and the inferior suprarenal a.
musculophrenic
anterior intercostal aa.
anterior diaphragm,
anterior aspects of
intercostal spaces 710 or 11
musculophrenic a. supplies
muscles that develop in the
septum transversum
pancreatic, caudal
splenic a.
numerous small aa. that supply tail of the pancreas

the pancreas
pancreatic, dorsal
splenic a.
right br., left br.
pancreatic, inferior
dorsal pancreatic, left br. no named branches
lower part of the

inferior pancreatic a. may be
body of the pancreas imbedded in the substance of the
gland
pancreatic, superior
splenic a.
no named branches
superior part of the superior pancreatic aa. are

body of the pancreas multiple small brs. arising from
the splenic a.
pancreatica magna
splenic a.
numerous unnamed brs. within body of the pancreas pancreatic magna is the largest
the pancreas
pancreatic branch to arise from
the splenic a.; it enters the
pancreas at the junction of its
middle 1/3 and left 1/3
pancreaticoduodenal,
anterior inferior
inferior
lower duodenum and anterior inferior

arcade
gastroduodenal a.
upper duodenum and anterior superior
caudal pancreatic a. enters the tail

of the pancreas near the hilum of
the spleen; it may arise from the
neck of the pancreas right br.of the dorsal pancreatic a.

in the prepancreatic arcade
anterior superior

form the anterior pancreatic
arcade
inferior
anterior inferior
pancreaticoduodenal a.,
posterior inferior
lower duodenum,
inferior pancreaticoduodenal a.
head of the pancreas supplies both the anterior and
posterior surfaces of the lower
duodenum and lower part of the
head of the pancreas
posterior inferior
inferior
lower duodenum and posterior inferior

anastomoses with the posterior
to form the posterior pancreatic
arcade
posterior superior
gastroduodenal a.
upper duodenum and posterior superior

form the posterior pancreatic
arcade
phrenic, inferior
abdominal aorta
diaphragm,
suprarenal gland
inferior phrenic a. is the first

posterior cecal
ileocolic a.

a.
posterior surface of
the cecum
posterior cecal a. supplies the

ileocecal junction
posterior inferior
pancreaticoduodenal
inferior
lower duodenum and posterior inferior

to form the posterior pancreatic
arcade
posterior intercostal
highest intercostal
spaces), descending
intercostal spaces)
posterior br., spinal br., anterior intercostal muscles,

br., collateral br., lateral
spinal cord and
cutaneous br.
vertebral column,
deep back muscles,
fascia overlying the
intercostal spaces
posterior intercostal aa. supply

the lateral and posterior portions
of the intercostal space; anterior
posterior superior
pancreaticoduodenal
gastroduodenal a.
upper duodenum and posterior superior

form the posterior pancreatic
arcade

lower posterior
usually on left
no named branches
lower spinal cord

spinal a. at lower thoracic or
upper lumbar spinal cord levels
rectal, inferior
internal pudendal a.
no named branches
anus, ischioanal
fossa

superior rectal a.
rectal, middle
internal iliac, anterior

division
no named branches
middle portion of the middle rectal a. anastomoses with

rectum
the inferior rectal a and the
superior rectal a.
rectal, superior
two unnamed branches

rectum
superior rectal a. is the

continuation of the inferior
mesenteric a. after the sigmoid
brs. are given off; it anastomoses

inferior rectal a.
renal

inferior suprarenal a., apical
level of the upper border segmental a., anterior br:
of the L2 vertebra
superior anterior segmental a.,
middle anterior segmental a.,
inferior segmental a.; posterior
br.: posterior segmental a.
kidney, upper ureter, the right renal a. is longer than

suprarenal gland
the left renal artery; the right
renal artery passes posterior to
the inferior vena cava
retroduodenal
gastroduodenal a.
multiple unnamed brs.
posterior portion of
the 1st part of the
duodenum
retroduodenal aa. arise as

multiple small brs.
right colic
superior mesenteric (or

br. of)
ascending colon
right colic a. anastomoses with

the ileocolic a. and the middle
colic a. to form part of the
marginal a.
right gastric
proper hepatic a.
no named branches
inferior part of the

stomach near the
lesser curvature
right gastric a. anastomoses with

the left gastric a. on the lesser
curvature of the stomach
right gastro-omental
gastroduodenal a.
lower part of the

pyloric region of the
stomach, right part
of greater curvature
of the stomach,
greater omentum
right gastro-omental a
anastomoses with the left gastroomental a. near the greater
known as: right gastroepiploic a.
right hepatic
proper hepatic a.
cystic a., segmental aa.
right lobe of the

liver, part of the
caudate lobe of the
liver
right hepatic a. supplies the liver

parenchyma and stroma
sacral, lateral
internal iliac a., posterior spinal brs.
sacrum, sacral nerve there are usually 2 lateral sacral
division
rootlets, meninges,
adjacent muscles
aa. on each side, a superior one

and an inferior one
sacral, median
abdominal aorta
5th lumbar aa.
sacrum
median sacral a. appears to be the

continuation of the abdominal
aorta in the median plane,
although it is much smaller in
size
short gastric
splenic a.
no named branches
fundus and upper

part of the stomach
near the greater
curvature
short gastric aa. reach the

stomach by passing through the
gastrosplenic ligament; they are
usually 4-5 in number
sigmoid
sigmoid colon
sigmoid aa. are 2-3 in number;

they anastomose with the left
colic a. to help form the marginal
a.
splenic
celiac trunk
dorsal pancreatic a., pancreatic pancreas, spleen,

brs., pancreatica magna a.,
greater curvature of
caudal pancreatic a., short
the stomach
gastric aa., left gastro-omental
a., splenic brs.
splenic a. courses through the

substance of the pancreas near its
superior border; splenic artery is
very tortuous
subcostal
descending thoracic
aorta
spinal br., collateral br., lateral

cutaneous br.
vertebrae, spinal
cord; muscles, skin
& fascia of the upper
abdominal wall
subcostal a. is equivalent to a
posterior intercostal a., but is
named subcostal because it
courses inferior to the 12th rib
superficial epigastric
femoral a.
cutaneous brs.
superficial fascia and superficial epigastric a. is one of

skin of the lower
abdominal wall
superior mesenteric
inferior pancreaticoduodenal a., inferior part of the
superior mesenteric a. supplies
level of the lower 1/3 of middle colic a., jejunal a., ileal
the L1 vertebral body
a., right colic a., ileocolic a.
head of the pancreas,

distal duodenum,
jejunum, ileum,
cecum, appendix,
ascending colon,
transverse colon
the midgut derivatives; brs. of the

superior mesenteric a. participate
in formation of the marginal
artery
superior pancreatic
splenic a.
no named branches
superior part of the superior pancreatic aa. are

body of the pancreas multiple small brs. arising from
the splenic a.
superior rectal

rectum
superior suprarenal
inferior phrenic a.
multiple small aa.
superior aspect of the superior suprarenal aa. are

suprarenal gland
numerous small vessels that enter
the suprarenal gland
independently
supraduodenal
gastroduodenal a.
no named branches
superior portion of
the 1st part of the
duodenum
suprarenal, inferior
renal a.
inferior aspect of the inferior suprarenal a. may

suprarenal gland
anastomose with the superior
suprarenal a.
suprarenal, middle
abdominal aorta
medial side of the

suprarenal gland
suprarenal, superior
inferior phrenic a.
multiple small aa.
superior aspect of the superior suprarenal aa. are

brs. are given off; it anastomoses
inferior rectal a.
supraduodenal a. supplies
branches to both the anterior and
posterior surfaces of the
duodenum
middle suprarenal a. anastomoses

with the superior suprarenal a.
and the inferior suprarenal a.
suprarenal gland
numerous small vessels that enter

the suprarenal gland
independently
trunk, celiac

level of the T12-L1
intervertebral disc
left gastric a., splenic a.,

common hepatic a.
stomach, lower
esophagus, liver,
upper duodenum,
pancreas, spleen
celiac trunk supplies the foregut

derivatives
umbilical
internal iliac a., anterior

division
superior vesical aa., a. of the

ductus deferens

bladder; ductus
deferens
distal to the branches described at

left, the lumen of the umbilical a.
becomes obliterated after birth
and the remnant of the vessel
becomes the medial umbilical
ligament
vesical, superior
umbilical a.
no named branches
superior aspect of the superior vesical aa.arise from the

bladder
umbilical a. proximal to where its
lumen becomes obliterated
Arteries of the Pelvis and Perineum - Arranged Alphabetically

Artery
aorta, abdominal
Source
Branches
the continuation inferior phrenic aa. (2), celiac

of the descending trunk, middle suprarenal aa. (2),
thoracic aorta
lumbar aa. (4 pairs), superior
mesenteric a., renal aa. (2),
testicular/ovarian aa. (2), inferior
mesenteric a., median sacral a.,
common iliac aa. (2)
Supply to
abdominal wall;
body below the level of
the respiratory
diaphragm
Notes
abdominal aorta passes
posterior to the diaphragm
(aortic hiatus) at the level of
the T12 vertebral body
of bulb of penis
internal pudendal no named branches

a.
bulb of the penis and

associated tissues
artery of the bulb of the penis

courses within the deep
perineal space to enter the deep
surface of the bulb
of bulb of vestibule

a.
bulb of the vestibule

and associated tissues
artery of the bulb of the

vestibule courses within the
deep perineal space to enter the
deep surface of the bulb
clitoris, deep a. of

a.
corpus cavernosum of
the clitoris
deep a. of the clitoris and

dorsal a. of the clitoris are the
terminal brs. of the internal
pudendal a.
clitoris, dorsal a. of

a.
superficial structures of dorsal a. of the clitoris and

the clitoris
deep a. of the clitoris are the
pudendal a.
cremasteric
inferior
epigastric a.
no named branches
cremaster m., coverings cremasteric a. is one of the

of the spermatic cord
contents of the spermatic cord;
it anastomoses with the
testicular artery distally
deep external pudendal
femoral a.
origins of pectineus m., deep external pudendal a. may

adductor longus m.;
arise from the medial
scrotum/labium majus circumflex femoral a.
deep, of clitoris

a.
the clitoris
deep a. of the clitoris and

dorsal a. of the clitoris are the
pudendal a.
deep, of penis

a.
the penis
deep a. of the penis and dorsal

a. of the penis are the terminal
brs. of the internal pudendal a.
dorsal, of clitoris

a.
superficial tissues of the dorsal a. of the clitoris and

clitoris
deep a. of the clitoris are the
pudendal a.
dorsal, of penis

a.
superficial tissues of the dorsal a. of the penis and deep

penis
ductus deferens, artery of
umbilical a.; may no named branches

be a branch of
the superior or
inferior vesical a.
ductus deferens,
seminal vesical;
ureter
epigastric, inferior
external iliac a.
cremasteric a.
lower rectus abdominis inferior epigastric m.

m., pyramidalis m.,
lower abdominal wall
abdominis m.
external pudendal, deep
femoral a.

adductor longus m.;
external pudendal, superficial femoral a.
no named branches

fascia of the upper
medial thigh, skin of
the pubic region
superficial external pudendal a.

is one of three superficial
branches of the femoral a. near
the inguinal ligament (see also:
superficial circumflex iliac a.,
superficial epigastric a.)
gluteal, inferior
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
gluteus maximus m.,

hip joint
inferior gluteal a. participates

in the formation of the cruciate
anastomoses of the hip
gluteal, superior
internal iliac,
superficial br., deep br.
posterior division

gluteus maximus m.,

superior gluteal a. participates
gluteus medius m.,
gluteus minimus m., hip anastomoses of the hip
joint
iliac, common
abdominal aorta
external iliac a., internal iliac a.
pelvis, lower limb
abdominal aorta bifurcates at

the level of the L4 vertebral
body to form the right and left
common iliac aa.; the common
iliac artery bifurcates anterior
to the sacroiliac articulation
into its terminal brs. (external
iliac a. and internal iliac a.)
iliac, external
common iliac a.

lower limb
external iliac a. is continuous

with the femoral a., the name
change occurs at the inguinal
ligament; the common iliac
artery bifurcates anterior to the
sacroiliac articulation
iliac, internal
common iliac a.
anterior division gives rise to the : pelvic viscera, gluteal

umbilical a., obturator a., uterine a., region, hip, medial
vaginal a., inferior vesical a.,
thigh
middle rectal a., internal pudendal
a., inferior gluteal a.; posterior
division gives rise to the:
iliolumbar a., lateral sacral a.,
superior gluteal a.
iliolumbar
internal iliac a., iliac br., lumbar br.

posterior division
iliacus m., psoas major

m., quadratus
lumborum m.
lumbar br. of the iliolumbar a.

sends a small spinal br. into the
vertebral canal
inferior gluteal
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
gluteus maximus m.,

hip joint
inferior gluteal a. participates

inferior rectal
anus, ischioanal fossa

a.
with the middle rectal a. and

the superior rectal a.
inferior vesical
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
or it may arise
from the middle
rectal a.
no named branches
internal iliac
common iliac a.
anterior division gives rise to the : pelvic viscera, gluteal

umbilical a., obturator a., uterine a., region, hip, medial
vaginal a., inferior vesical a.,
thigh
middle rectal a., internal pudendal
a., inferior gluteal a.; posterior
division gives rise to the:
iliolumbar a., lateral sacral a.,
superior gluteal a.

internal pudendal
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
inferior rectal a., perineal a., artery

of the bulb of the clitoris/penis,
urethral a., deep clitoral/penile a.,
dorsal clitoral/penile a.
anus, muscles of the

superficial and deep
perineal spaces,
clitoris/penis, posterior
aspect of the
scrotum/labium majus
internal pudendal a. is the

primary blood supply to the
perineum
labial, posterior
perineal a.
no named branches
posterior aspect of the

labium majus
posterior labial a. courses

through the superficial perineal
space
lateral sacral
internal iliac a., spinal brs.

posterior division

rootlets, meninges,
adjacent muscles

one
middle rectal
internal iliac,
anterior division
middle portion of the

rectum
middle rectal a. anastomoses

with the inferior rectal a and
no named branches
lower part of the

urinary bladder,
prostate/vagina
inferior vesical a. anastomoses

with the middle rectal a.

obturator
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
pubic br., acetabular br., anterior

br., posterior br.
medial thigh and hip
anterior and posterior brs. pass

on the anterior and posterior
sides of the adductor brevis m.;
aberrant obturator a. arises
from the inferior epigastric a.
in 30% of cases
ovarian
abdominal aorta
tubal brs., uterine brs.
ovary, uterine tube
ovarian a. anastomoses with

the uterine a.
penis, deep

a.
the penis
deep a. of the penis and dorsal

penis, dorsal

a.
superficial tissues of the dorsal a. of the penis and deep

penis
penis, of bulb

a.
bulb of the penis and

associated tissues
artery of the bulb of the penis

courses within the deep
perineal space to enter the deep
surface of the bulb
perineal
internal pudendal posterior labial/scrotal; deep br.

a.

scrotum/labium majus;
muscles of the
superficial perineal
space
perineal a. courses superficial

to the superficial transverse
perineus m.; it courses with the
perineal n.
posterior labial
perineal a.
no named branches

labium majus
posterior labial a. courses

through the superficial perineal
space
posterior scrotal
perineal a.
no named branches

scrotum
posterior scrotal a. passes

superficial to the superficial
transverse perineus m.
pudendal, deep external
femoral a.

adductor longus m.;
pudendal, internal
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
inferior rectal a., perineal a., artery

of the bulb of the clitoris/penis,
urethral a., deep clitoral/penile a.,
dorsal clitoral/penile a.
anus, muscles of the

superficial and deep
perineal spaces,
clitoris/penis, posterior
aspect of the
internal pudendal a. is the

perineum
no named branches

fascia of the upper
the pubic region

pudendal, superficial external femoral a.
rectal, inferior

a.
anus, ischioanal fossa

with the middle rectal a. and
rectal, middle
internal iliac,
anterior division
no named branches
middle portion of the

rectum
middle rectal a. anastomoses

with the inferior rectal a and
rectal, superior
inferior
mesenteric a.

rectum

brs. are given off; it
anastomoses with the middle
rectal a. and the inferior rectal
a.
sacral, lateral
internal iliac a.,
spinal brs.
posterior division
rootlets, meninges,
adjacent muscles

one
sacral, median
abdominal aorta
5th lumbar aa.
sacrum
median sacral a. appears to be

abdominal aorta in the median
plane, although it is much
smaller in size
scrotal, posterior
perineal a.
no named branches

scrotum
posterior scrotal a. passes

superficial to the superficial
transverse perineus m.
superficial external pudendal femoral a.
no named branches

fascia of the upper
the pubic region

testicular
abdominal aorta
ureteric brs.
testis, epididymis,
lower part of the ductus
deferens, ureter near its
midpoint
testicular a. is one of the

contents of the spermatic cord;
the origin of the testicular a.
from the aorta at the L2
vertebral level indicates the
embryonic level of origin of
the testis prior to its descent
umbilical
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
superior vesical aa., a. of the ductus superior part of the

deferens
bladder; ductus
deferens
distal to the branches described

at left, the lumen of the
umbilical a. becomes
obliterated after birth and the
remnant of the vessel becomes
the medial umbilical ligament
urethral

a.
penile urethra
urethral a. branches off of the

internal pudendal a. within the
deep perineal space
uterine
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
uterus, uterine tube
uterine a. anastomoses with the

ovarian a. and the vaginal a.; it
passes superior to the ureter in
the pelvis; remember the
saying "water under the
bridge"
vaginal
internal iliac a., numerous unnamed branches

anterior division;
occasionally it
arises from
uterine a.
vagina
anastomoses with the uterine

a.; participates in the formation
of the azygos arteries along the
lateral surface of the vagina
vesical, inferior
internal iliac a.,

anterior division
or it may arise
from the middle
rectal a.
no named branches
lower part of the

urinary bladder,
prostate/vagina
inferior vesical a. anastomoses

with the middle rectal a.
vesical, superior
umbilical a.
no named branches
superior aspect of the

bladder
superior vesical aa.arise from

the umbilical a. proximal to
where its lumen becomes
obliterated
vestibule, bulb of

a.
bulb of the vestibule

and associated tissues
artery of the bulb of the

vestibule courses within the
deep perineal space to enter the
deep surface of the bulb
tubal br., vaginal br.
Artery of upper limb
Artery
Source
Branches
Supply to
Notes
anterior
circumflex
humeral
axillary a., 3rd part
deltoid m.; arm muscles near anterior circumflex humeral a.

the surgical neck of the
humerus
circumflex humeral a.
anterior
interosseous
common interosseous
a.
muscular brs.; a. of the median flexor pollicis longus m.,

nerve
flexor digitorum profundus
m., pronator quadratus m.,
radius, ulna, carpal bones
anterior interosseous a. pierces the

interosseous membrane at its distal
end to reach the dorsal carpal
anastomosis
anterior ulnar
recurrent
ulnar a.
unnamed muscular brs.
medial side of elbow and

proximal ends of forearm
flexor mm.
anterior ulnar recurrent a. often

arises in common with the posterior
ulnar recurrent a.
arch, deep palmar radial a., deep br. of

ulnar a.
palmar metacarpal aa. (2nd4th), perforating brs.
deep palm, digits including

the dorsum of the distal
phalangeal segment
deep palmar arterial arch receives

the majority of its blood supply
from the radial a.
arch, dorsal
carpal arterial
radial a., ulnar a.
dorsal metacarpal aa.
dorsum of the hand and

digits, excluding the distal
phalangeal segment
dorsal carpal arterial arch receives

from the radial a.
arch, superficial
palmar
ulnar a., superficial

common palmar digital aa. (3) superficial palm, palmar
palmar br. of the radial
surface of the digits
a.
excluding thumb, dorsum of
the distal phalangeal
segments of digits 2-5
superficial palmar arterial arch

receives the majority of its blood
supply from the ulnar a.
axillary
subclavian a. (axillary
a. is the continuation
of the subclavian
lateral to the 1st rib)
pectoralis minor m. crosses anterior

to the axillary artery and is used to
delineate the 3 parts mentioned at
left
1st part: superior thoracic a.;

pectoral region, shoulder
2nd part: thoracoacromial a., region and upper limb
lateral thoracic a.; 3rd part:
anterior humeral circumflex a.,
posterior humeral circumflex
a., subscapular a.
brachial
axillary a. (brachial a.
is the continuation of
the axillary a. distal to
the teres major m.)
deep brachial a., superior ulnar arm, forearm and hand

collateral a., nutrient a.,
inferior ulnar collateral a.;
terminal branches are the
radial a. and the ulnar a.
brachial a. normally terminates at

the level of the elbow, but high
branching may occur
brachial, deep
brachial a.
ascending br.; terminal

branches are the middle
collateral a. and radial
collateral a.
brachiocephalic
trunk
aortic arch
right common carotid a., right right side of the head and
subclavian a.
neck; right upper limb and
right side of the chest wall

trunk
carpal arterial
arch, dorsal
radial a., ulnar a.

from the radial a.
cervical,
transverse
thyrocervical trunk

possibly the dorsal scapular a. surrounding tissues
muscles and tissues of the

deep brachial a. spirals around the
posterior compartment of the shaft of the humerus in the radial
arm
groove where it is susceptible to
injury in mid-shaft fractures

phalangeal segment
transverse cervical a. gives rise to

the dorsal scapular a. ~30% of the
time
circumflex
humeral, anterior

humerus
circumflex
humeral,
posterior
deltoid; arm muscles near the posterior circumflex humeral a.

surgical neck of the humerus anastomoses with the anterior
circumflex humeral a.; it passes
through the quadrangular space with
the axillary nerve
circumflex
scapular
subscapular a.
teres major m., teres minor

m., infraspinatus m.
circumflex scapular a. anastomoses

with the suprascapular a. and the
collateral,
inferior ulnar
brachial a.
lower medial arm
anastomoses with the anterior ulnar

recurrent a.
collateral, middle deep brachial a.
medial head of triceps,

anconeus
anastomoses with the interosseous

recurrent a.
collateral, radial
deep brachial a.
lower lateral arm
travels with the radial nerve;

anastomoses with the radial
recurrent a.
collateral,
superior ulnar
brachial a.
medial arm muscles
travels with the ulnar nerve;

anastomoses with posterior ulnar
recurrent a.
common
interosseous
ulnar a.
anterior interosseous a.,

posterior interosseous a.
deep structures of the forearm common interosseous a. supplies the

deep forearm flexor and deep
forearm extensor muscles
common palmar
digital
superficial palmar
arterial arch
proper palmar digital aa. (2)
palmar aspect two adjacent

digits
deep brachial
brachial a.
ascending br.; terminal

branches are the middle
collateral a. and radial
collateral a.
muscles and tissues of the

deep brachial a. spirals around the
posterior compartment of the shaft of the humerus in the radial
arm
groove where it is susceptible to
injury in mid-shaft fractures
deep palmar arch radial a., deep br. of

ulnar a.

phalangeal segment

from the radial a.
digital, common
palmar
superficial palmar
arterial arch

digits
common palmar digital aa.

anastomose with palmar metacarpal
aa.
digital, proper
palmar
common palmar digital no named branches

a.
palmar aspect of each digit
proper palmar digital aa. supply the

dorsum of the distal phalangeal
segment and nail bed

aa.
dorsal carpal
arterial arch
radial a., ulnar a.

phalangeal segment

from the radial a.
dorsal digital, of
hand
dorsal metacarpal a.
no named branches
dorsal aspect of 1/2 digit,

excluding the distal
phalangeal segment
dorsal digital aa. do not supply the

nail bed
dorsal metacarpal 1st: radial a.; 2-4:

dorsal carpal arterial
arch
dorsal digital aa. (2)
dorsum of 2 adjacent digits,

phalangeal segment
each dorsal metacarpal a. gives off a

perforating br. that anastomoses
with the deep palmar arterial arch
dorsal scapular

dorsal scapular a. anastomoses with

the suprascapular a. and the
subscapular a. to form the scapular
anastomosis; dorsal scapular a is a
branch of the transverse cervical a.
in ~30% of cases
humeral, anterior axillary a., 3rd part

circumflex

humerus
humeral,
posterior
circumflex

the axillary nerve
inferior ulnar
collateral
brachial a.
lower medial arm

recurrent a.
interosseous
recurrent
posterior interosseous
a.
anconeus m., elbow joint
interosseous recurrent a.
collateral a.
interosseous,
common interosseous
muscular brs.; a. of the median flexor pollicis longus m.,
anterior interosseous a. pierces the
anterior
a.
nerve
flexor digitorum profundus

m., pronator quadratus m.,
radius, ulna, carpal bones
interosseous,
common
ulnar a.
anterior interosseous a.,

posterior interosseous a.
deep structures of the forearm common interosseous a. supplies the

deep forearm flexor and deep
forearm extensor muscles
interosseous,
posterior
common interosseous
a.
interosseous recurrent
muscles of the posterior

(extensor) forearm
compartment: supinator m.,
abductor pollicis longus m.,
extensor pollicis longus m.,
extensor pollicis brevis m.,
extensor indicis m.
posterior interosseous a. passes

proximal to the interosseous
membrane to reach the extensor
compartment of the forearm
lateral thoracic
axillary, 2nd part
serratus anterior m., parts of

adjacent muscles, skin and
fascia of the anterolateral
thoracic wall

metacarpal,
dorsal
1st: radial a.; 2-4:

dorsal carpal arterial
arch
dorsum of 2 adjacent digits,

phalangeal segment
each dorsal metacarpal a. gives off a

with the deep palmar arterial arch
metacarpal,
palmar
deep palmar arch
proper palmar digital aa.
interosseous mm., deep hand palmar metacarpal aa. join with the
middle collateral deep brachial a.
medial head of triceps,

anconeus
anastomoses with the interosseous

recurrent a.
palmar arch, deep radial a., deep br. of

ulnar a.

phalangeal segment

from the radial a.
palmar arch,
superficial

interosseous membrane at its distal

end to reach the dorsal carpal
anastomosis

a.


digits

aa.
palmar digital,
common
superficial palmar
arterial arch
palmar digital,
proper

a.
palmar
metacarpal
deep palmar arch
proper palmar digital aa.
interosseous mm., deep hand palmar metacarpal aa. join with the
pectoral
thoracoacromial trunk

pectoralis minor m.
posterior
circumflex
humeral

the axillary nerve
posterior
interosseous
common interosseous
a.
interosseous recurrent
muscles of the posterior

(extensor) forearm
compartment: supinator m.,
abductor pollicis longus m.,
extensor pollicis longus m.,
extensor pollicis brevis m.,
extensor indicis m.
posterior interosseous a. passes

proximal to the interosseous
membrane to reach the extensor
compartment of the forearm
posterior ulnar
recurrent
ulnar a.
medial side of the elbow,

forearm flexor mm.
posterior ulnar recurrent a. often

arises from a common trunk with
the anterior ulnar recurrent a.
princeps pollicis
radial a.
two brs. to the thumb
palmar aspect of the thumb
arteria princeps pollicis is similar in
pectoral a. accompanies the lateral

pectoral n.
including the dorsum of the

distal phalangeal segment
function to a proper digital aa.; this

artery has a large pulse which can be
felt when attempting to take the
pulse of a patient - use fingers to
feel for the patient's pulse
proper palmar
digital

a.

radial
brachial a.
radial recurrent a., palmar

carpal br., superficial palmar
br., dorsal carpal br., 1st dorsal
metacarpal a., princeps pollicis
a., radialis indicis a., deep
palmar arterial arch
posterior elbow, posterior

forearm, posterior hand, deep
portion of palmar side of the
hand, thumb
radial a. provides the majority of

blood supply to the deep palmar
arterial arch; normally it arises at the
level of the elbow but may high
branching of the brachial a. may
result in the radial a. arising as
proximal as the axilla
radial collateral
deep brachial a.
lower lateral arm
travels with the radial nerve;

anastomoses with the radial
recurrent a.
radial recurrent
radial a.
lateral side of the elbow and

adjacent extensor muscles
radial recurrent a. anastomoses with

the radial collateral a.; it courses in
the groove between the
brachioradialis m. and the brachialis
m.
radialis indicis
radial a.
no named branches
lateral (radial) side of the

index finger
arteria radialis indicis is equivalent

to a proper digital a.
recurrent,
anterior ulnar
ulnar a.

flexor mm.

ulnar recurrent a.
recurrent,
interosseous
posterior interosseous
a.
anconeus m., elbow joint
interosseous recurrent a.
collateral a.
recurrent,
posterior ulnar
ulnar a.

forearm flexor mm.

recurrent, radial
radial a.
lateral side of the elbow and

adjacent extensor muscles
radial recurrent a. anastomoses with

the radial collateral a.; it courses in
the groove between the
brachioradialis m. and the brachialis
m.
scapular,
circumflex
subscapular a.
teres major m., teres minor

m., infraspinatus m.
circumflex scapular a. anastomoses

with the suprascapular a. and the
scapular, dorsal

dorsal scapular a. anastomoses with

the suprascapular a. and the
subscapular a. to form the scapular
anastomosis; dorsal scapular a is a
branch of the transverse cervical a.
in ~30% of cases
subclavian
brachiocephalic a.
(right), aortic arch
(left)
1st part: vertebral a.,

thyrocervical trunk, internal
thoracic a.; 2nd part:
costocervical trunk; 3rd part:
dorsal scapular a. (70%)
neck, brain, spinal cord,

thyroid gland, larynx,
shoulder, chest muscles,
upper limb
subclavian a. is continuous with the

axillary a., the name change occurs
at the lateral border of the first rib;
anterior scalene muscle passes
anterior to the subclavian a.,
dividing it into 3 parts
subscapular
circumflex scapular a.,

thoracodorsal a.
subscapularis m., teres major the circumflex scapular branch of

m., teres minor m.,
the subscapular a.anastomoses with
infraspinatus m.
the suprascapular a. and the dorsal
scapular a. in the scapular
anastomosis
superficial
palmar arch

a.

superior thoracic axillary a., 1st part
muscles of intercostal spaces superior thoracic a. anastomoses

1 and 2
superior ulnar
collateral
brachial a.
medial arm muscles

recurrent a.
suprascapular
thyrocervical trunk
muscular
supraspinatus &
infraspinatus, shoulder joint
anastomoses with the circumflex

scapular a. and the dorsal scapular a.
to form the scapular anastomosis
thoracic, lateral
serratus anterior m., parts of

adjacent muscles, skin and
fascia of the anterolateral
thoracic wall

thoracic, superior axillary a., 1st part
muscles of intercostal spaces superior thoracic a. anastomoses

1 and 2
thoracoacromial
pectoral br., clavicular br.,

acromial br., deltoid br.

pectoralis minor m.,
subclavius m., deltoid m.,
shoulder joint
thoracoacromial trunk pierces the

costocoracoid membrane
thoracodorsal
subscapular a.
latissimus dorsi m.
thoracodorsal a. accompanies the

thoracodorsal n.
trunk,
brachiocephalic
aortic arch
subclavian a.

trunk

trunk,
thyrocervical
inferior thyroid a., transverse

cervical a., suprascapular a.
lower neck, posterior

shoulder, thyroid gland
thyrocervical trunk does not give

rise to the ascending cervical a.- it is
a branch of the inferior thyroid a.
ulnar
brachial a.
anterior ulnar recurrent a.,

medial side of the anterior
posterior ulnar recurrent a.,
forearm, posterior forearm,
common interosseous a.,
superficial palm, fingers
palmar carpal br., dorsal carpal
br., deep palmar br., superficial
palmar arterial arch
ulnar a. supplies the majority of

blood to the superficial palmar
arterial arch; it normally arises at the
level of the elbow, but high
branching of the brachial a. may
cause the ulnar a. to arise as far
proximally as the axilla
ulnar collateral,
inferior
brachial a.
lower medial arm

recurrent a.
ulnar collateral,
superior
brachial a.
medial arm muscles

recurrent a.
ulnar recurrent,
anterior
ulnar a.

flexor mm.

ulnar recurrent a.
ulnar recurrent,
posterior
ulnar a.

forearm flexor mm.

Arteries of the Lower Limb - Arranged Alphabetically

Artery
Source
Branches
Supply to
Notes
anterior lateral malleolar
anterior tibial a. no named branches
lateral side of the ankle
anterior medial malleolar
medial side of the ankle anterior medial malleolar a.

medial malleolar a.
anterior tibial
popliteal a.
anterior tibial recurrent
anterior side of the knee anterior tibial recurrent a.

and adjacent muscles
anastomoses with the genicular aa.
to participate in the formation of the
genicular anastomosis
aorta, abdominal
the
continuation of
the descending
thoracic aorta
inferior phrenic aa. (2), celiac

trunk, middle suprarenal aa. (2),
lumbar aa. (4 pairs), superior
mesenteric a., renal aa. (2),
testicular/ovarian aa. (2), inferior
mesenteric a., median sacral a.,
common iliac aa. (2)
abdominal wall;
abdominal aorta passes posterior to
the diaphragm (aortic hiatus) at the
body below the level of level of the T12 vertebral body
the respiratory
diaphragm
arch, plantar arterial
lateral plantar
a.
plantar metatarsal aa. (4)
deep foot; its plantar

plantar arterial arch anastomoses
metatarsal brs. and their with the deep plantar br. of the
brs. supply the toes,
dorsalis pedis a.
including the dorsum of
segment
arcuate
dorsalis pedis
dorsal metatarsal aa. (3)
dorsum of the foot,
anterior tibial recurrent a.,

anterior leg; dorsum of
posterior tibial recurrent a.,
foot and deep foot
anterior malleolar a., medial
malleolar a., lateral malleolar a.,
dorsalis pedis a.
anterior lateral malleolar a.

lateral malleolar a. and the
perforating br. of the fibular a.
anterior tibial a. becomes

continuous with the dorsalis pedis
a.; the name change occurs at the
level of the ankle joint
arcuate a. anastomoses with the
a.
excluding the pollex and lateral tarsal a.

segments of the digits
circumflex femoral, lateral
deep femoral a. ascending br., transverse br.,

descending br.
lateral thigh and hip
lateral circumflex femoral a. arises

from the femoral a. in ~14% of
cases
circumflex femoral, medial
deep femoral a. ascending br., descending br.
medial circumflex femoral a. arises

cases
circumflex fibular
anterior tibial
proximal portion of
lateral leg
arises from the tibial a. before the

tibial a. pierces the interosseous
membrane
circumflex iliac, superficial
femoral a.
superficial fascia of
lower abdomen and
thigh
superficial circumflex iliac a.

crosses the upper thigh parallel to
the inguinal ligament
deep external pudendal
femoral a.
origins of pectineus m.,

adductor longus m.;
deep external pudendal a. may arise

from the medial circumflex femoral
a.
deep femoral
femoral a.
medial circumflex femoral a.,

lateral circumflex femoral a.,
perforating aa. (3 or 4)
hip joint, proximal

thigh, posterior thigh
deep femoral a. is the primary

blood supply to muscles of the
posterior compartment of the thigh
deep plantar
dorsalis pedis

metatarsal brs. and their
segment
anastomoses with lateral plantar a.

to form the plantar arterial arch; the
branches mentioned at left arise
from the plantar arterial arch
descending genicular
femoral a.
saphenous br., articular brs.

structures of the medial
descending genicular a.
anastomoses with the genicular brs.
aspect of the knee and

upper leg
of the popliteal a.
digital, proper plantar
plantar
metatarsal a.,
from the
plantar arterial
arch
no named branches
plantar aspect of each

digit
proper plantar digital aa. supply the

dorsal digital, of foot
dorsal
metatarsal a.
no named branches
dorsal aspect of 1/2

digit, excluding the
distal phalangeal
segment
dorsal digital aa. do not supply the

nail bed
dorsal metatarsal
dorsalis pedis
(1st), arcuate
(2nd-4th)
dorsum of digits,
phalangeal segment
each dorsal metatarsal a. gives off a

with the plantar arterial arch
dorsalis pedis
anterior tibial a. lateral tarsal a., medial tarsal a.,

arcuate a., 1st dorsal metatarsal
a., deep plantar a.
dorsal aspect of the foot; dorsalis pedis a. anastomoses with

the plantar arterial arch; the anterior
tibial artery continues as the
dorsalis pedis - the name change
occurs at the level of the ankle
external iliac
common iliac
a.

lower limb
external iliac a. is continuous with

the femoral a., the name change
occurs at the inguinal ligament; the
anterior to the sacroiliac articulation
external pudendal, deep
femoral a.

adductor longus m.;

a.
external pudendal,
superficial
femoral a.
no named branches

superficial external pudendal a. is
fascia of the upper
one of three superficial branches of
medial thigh, skin of the the femoral a. near the inguinal
pubic region
ligament (see also: superficial

circumflex iliac a., superficial
epigastric a.)
femoral
external iliac a. superficial epigastric a.,

thigh, leg and foot
superficial external pudendal a.,
deep external pudendal a., deep
femoral a., descending genicular
a., popliteal a.
femoral a. is continuous with the

popliteal a., the name change
occurs at the adductor hiatus
femoral, deep
femoral a.
hip joint, proximal

thigh, posterior thigh
deep femoral a. is the primary

blood supply to muscles of the
posterior compartment of the thigh
femoral, lateral circumflex
deep femoral a. ascending br., transverse br.,

descending br.
lateral thigh and hip
lateral circumflex femoral a. arises

cases
femoral, medial circumflex
deep femoral a. ascending br., descending br.
medial circumflex femoral a. arises

cases
fibular
posterior tibial
a.
nutrient br., lateral malleolar a.,

communicating br., perforating
br.
muscles and fascia of

the lateral leg ankle
fibular a. anastomoses at the ankle

with the anterior and posterior tibial
aa.; also known as: peroneal a.
genicular, descending
femoral a.
saphenous br., articular brs.

structures of the medial
aspect of the knee and
upper leg
descending genicular a.
anastomoses with the genicular brs.
of the popliteal a.
genicular, inferior lateral
popliteal a.
no named branches
lateral aspect of the

knee
inferior lateral genicular a.

anastomoses with the other
genicular brs. of the popliteal a.,
circumflex fibular a. and anterior
tibial recurrent a. to form the
medial circumflex femoral a.,

lateral circumflex femoral a.,
perforating aa. (3 or 4)
genicular, inferior medial
popliteal a.
no named branches
medial aspect of the

knee
inferior medial genicular a.

genicular, middle
popliteal a.
no named branches
cruciate ligaments and

deep structures of the
knee
middle genicular a. anastomoses

with the other genicular brs. of the
popliteal a., circumflex fibular a.
and anterior tibial recurrent a. to
form the genicular anastomosis
genicular, superior lateral
popliteal a.
no named branches
lateral aspect of knee
superior lateral genicular a.

genicular, superior medial
popliteal a.
no named branches
medial aspect of knee
superior medial genicular a.

gluteal, inferior
internal iliac a., unnamed muscular branches

anterior
division
gluteus maximus m., hip inferior gluteal a. participates in the

joint
formation of the cruciate
gluteal, superior
internal iliac,
posterior
division
gluteus maximus m.,

superior gluteal a. participates in
gluteus medius m.,
the formation of the cruciate
gluteus minimus m., hip anastomoses of the hip
superficial br., deep br.
joint
iliac, common
abdominal
aorta
external iliac a., internal iliac a.
pelvis, lower limb

bifurcates anterior to the sacroiliac
articulation into its terminal brs.
(external iliac a. and internal iliac
a.)
iliac, external
common iliac
a.

lower limb
external iliac a. is continuous with

the femoral a., the name change
occurs at the inguinal ligament; the
anterior to the sacroiliac articulation
iliolumbar
internal iliac a., iliac br., lumbar br.

posterior
division
iliacus m., psoas major lumbar br. of the iliolumbar a.

m., quadratus lumborum sends a small spinal br. into the
m.
vertebral canal
inferior epigastric
external iliac a. cremasteric a.
lower rectus abdominis

m., pyramidalis m.,
lower abdominal wall
inferior gluteal
internal iliac a., unnamed muscular branches

anterior
division
gluteus maximus m., hip inferior gluteal a. participates in the

joint
formation of the cruciate
inferior lateral genicular
popliteal a.
no named branches
lateral aspect of the

knee
inferior lateral genicular a.

inferior medial genicular
popliteal a.
no named branches
medial aspect of the
inferior medial genicular a.
inferior epigastric m. anastomoses

with the superior epigastric m.
within the rectus abdominis m.
knee

lateral plantar
posterior tibial
a.
proper plantar digital a. to lateral deep foot; the plantar

side of 5th digit
arterial arch and its brs.
supply the toes,
including the distal
phalangeal segment
dorsally
lateral plantar a. becomes

continuous with the plantar arterial
arch
lateral tarsal
dorsalis pedis
a.
no named branches
tarsal bones and joints

of the lateral foot
lateral tarsal a. anastomoses with

the arcuate a.
lumbar
abdominal
aorta
anterior br., posterior br., spinal

br.
psoas major m., psoas

minor m., quadratus
lumborum m., spinal
cord and vertebral
column, deep back
muscles
the 4 lumbar arteries on each side

arise from the posterior surface of
the aorta at the level of vertebrae
L1-L4; they course posterior to the
psoas major m.
malleolar, anterior lateral
anterior lateral malleolar a.

lateral malleolar a. and the
perforating br. of the fibular a.
malleolar, anterior medial
medial side of the ankle anterior medial malleolar a.

medial malleolar a.
malleolar, posterior lateral
fibular a.
calcaneal brs.
malleolar, posterior medial
posterior tibial
no named branches
medial side of the ankle posterior medial malleolar a.
posterior lateral malleolar a.

lateral malleolar a.
a.

medial malleolar a.
medial plantar
posterior tibial
a.
digital brs. (3)
medial side of the sole

of the foot
medial tarsal
dorsalis pedis
a.
no named branches

medial tarsal aa. are 2-3 in number;
of the medial side of the they anastomose with the medial
foot
malleolar aa.
metatarsal, dorsal
dorsalis pedis
(1st), arcuate
(2nd-4th)
dorsum of digits,
phalangeal segment
metatarsal, plantar
plantar arterial
arch
perforating br., plantar digital aa. interosseous mm., deep

(2)
portions of the foot;
digits including the
dorsum of the distal
phalangeal segment
plantar metatarsal aa.anastomose

with dorsal metatarsal aa.
middle genicular
popliteal a.
no named branches
middle genicular a. anastomoses

with the other genicular brs. of the
popliteal a., circumflex fibular a.
and anterior tibial recurrent a. to
form the genicular anastomosis
obturator
internal iliac a., pubic br., acetabular br., anterior medial thigh and hip
anterior
br., posterior br.
division
plantar arterial arch
lateral plantar
a.
cruciate ligaments and

deep structures of the
knee
medial plantar a. anastomoses with

the plantar metatarsal aa., but does
not usually participate in formation
of the plantar arterial arch
each dorsal metatarsal a. gives off a

with the plantar arterial arch
anterior and posterior brs. pass on

the anterior and posterior sides of
the adductor brevis m.; aberrant
obturator a. arises from the inferior
epigastric a. in 30% of cases

plantar arterial arch anastomoses
metatarsal brs. and their with the deep plantar br. of the
dorsalis pedis a.

segment
plantar metatarsal
plantar arterial
arch
perforating br., plantar digital aa. interosseous mm., deep

(2)
portions of the foot;
digits including the
dorsum of the distal
phalangeal segment
plantar metatarsal aa.anastomose

with dorsal metatarsal aa.
plantar, deep
dorsalis pedis

metatarsal brs. and their
segment
anastomoses with lateral plantar a.

to form the plantar arterial arch; the
branches mentioned at left arise
from the plantar arterial arch
plantar, lateral
posterior tibial
a.
proper plantar digital a. to lateral deep foot; the plantar

side of 5th digit
arterial arch and its brs.
supply the toes,
including the distal
phalangeal segment
dorsally
lateral plantar a. becomes

continuous with the plantar arterial
arch
plantar, medial
posterior tibial
a.
digital brs. (3)
medial side of the sole

of the foot
medial plantar a. anastomoses with

the plantar metatarsal aa., but does
not usually participate in formation
of the plantar arterial arch
popliteal
femoral a.
anterior tibial a., posterior tibial

a., 5 genicular brs.
knee, leg and foot
the popliteal a. is the continuation

of the femoral a., the name change
occurs at the adductor hiatus
posterior lateral malleolar
fibular a.
calcaneal brs.
posterior lateral malleolar a.

lateral malleolar a.
posterior medial malleolar
posterior tibial
a.
no named branches
medial side of the ankle posterior medial malleolar a.

medial malleolar a.
posterior tibial
popliteal a.
fibular a. (peroneal), circumflex posterior and lateral leg,

fibular a., nutrient a. of the tibia, plantar aspect of the
communicating br., posterior
foot
medial malleolar brs., medial
calcaneal brs., lateral plantar a.,
medial plantar a.
posterior tibial recurrent
posterior knee, popliteus anastomoses with the other

m.
genicular aa. to participate in the
formation of the genicular
anastomosis
proper plantar digital
plantar
metatarsal a.,
from the
plantar arterial
arch
no named branches
plantar aspect of each

digit
proper plantar digital aa. supply the

pudendal, deep external
femoral a.

adductor longus m.;

a.
pudendal, superficial
external
femoral a.
no named branches

fascia of the upper
medial thigh, skin of the
pubic region

the femoral a. near the inguinal
epigastric a.)
recurrent, anterior tibial
posterior tibial a. is the direct

continuation of the popliteal a. the
name change occurs at the inferior
border of the popliteus m. where
the popliteal a. bifurcates; the tibial
a. bifurcates on the medial side of
the foot to give rise to the medial
plantar a. and lateral plantar a.

recurrent, posterior tibial

m.
anastomosis
superficial epigastric
femoral a.
cutaneous brs.
superficial fascia and

skin of the lower
abdominal wall
superficial epigastric a. is one of

superficial external
pudendal
femoral a.
no named branches

fascia of the upper
medial thigh, skin of the
pubic region

the femoral a. near the inguinal
epigastric a.)
superior lateral genicular
popliteal a.
no named branches
lateral aspect of knee
superior lateral genicular a.

superior medial genicular
popliteal a.
no named branches
medial aspect of knee
superior medial genicular a.

sural
popliteal a.
unnamed muscular aa.
gastrocnemius m.,
soleus m., plantaris m.
sural aa. are often confused with the

inferior genicular aa. during
dissection
tarsal, lateral
dorsalis pedis
a.
no named branches

of the lateral foot
lateral tarsal a. anastomoses with

the arcuate a.
tarsal, medial
dorsalis pedis
a.
no named branches

medial tarsal aa. are 2-3 in number;
of the medial side of the they anastomose with the medial
foot
malleolar aa.
tibial recurrent, anterior

tibial recurrent, posterior

m.
anastomosis
tibial, anterior
popliteal a.
anterior tibial recurrent a.,

anterior leg; dorsum of
posterior tibial recurrent a.,
foot and deep foot
anterior malleolar a., medial
malleolar a., lateral malleolar a.,
dorsalis pedis a.
anterior tibial a. becomes

continuous with the dorsalis pedis
a.; the name change occurs at the
level of the ankle joint
tibial, posterior
popliteal a.
fibular a. (peroneal), circumflex posterior and lateral leg,

fibular a., nutrient a. of the tibia, plantar aspect of the
communicating br., posterior
foot
medial malleolar brs., medial
calcaneal brs., lateral plantar a.,
medial plantar a.
posterior tibial a. is the direct

continuation of the popliteal a. the
name change occurs at the inferior
border of the popliteus m. where
the popliteal a. bifurcates; the tibial
a. bifurcates on the medial side of
the foot to give rise to the medial
plantar a. and lateral plantar a.
Arteries of the Head and Neck - Arranged Alphabetically

Artery
Source
Branches
Supply to
Notes
alveolar, anterior superior infraorbital a.
dental brs., mucosal brs.
maxillary incisor and canine anterior superior alveolar a.

teeth; part of the maxillary
is located between the
sinus
inner and outer tables of
bone of the maxilla
alveolar, inferior
maxillary a.
lingual br., mylohyoid a.,

dental brs., mental a.
mandibular teeth and

gingiva; mandible;
mylohyoid m.
inferior alveolar a. runs

with the inferior alveolar
nerve within the
mandibular canal
alveolar, middle superior
infraorbital a.
maxillary premolar teeth;

part of the maxillary sinus
middle superior alveolar a.

bone of the maxilla
alveolar, posterior
superior
maxillary a.
maxillary molar teeth; part

of the maxillary sinus
posterior superior alveolar

a. enters the maxilla in the
infratemporal fossa
angular
facial a.
no named branches
orbicularis oculi m. and

lacrimal sac
angular a. is the terminal

branch of the facial a.
anterior cerebral
internal carotid a.
anterior communicating a.,

medial frontobasal a., polar
frontal a., callosomarginal a.,
precuneal a.
medial and inferior portions

of the frontal lobe; medial
side of the parietal lobe;
corpus callosum and part of
the limbic lobe; olfactory
bulb and tract; optic nerve,
optic chiasm and optic tract
the anterior communicating

a. unites the two anterior
cerebral aa. across the
midline
anterior communicating
anterior cerebral a.
perforating aa.
an anastomotic connection
anterior communicating a.
is a short vessel of
anastomosis which crosses
the midline to join the
paired anterior cerebral aa.;
it is part of the Circle of
Willis
anterior deep temporal
maxillary a.
no named branches
anterior part of temporalis

m. and surrounding deep
tissues
anterior deep temporal a.

branches in the
infratemporal fossa and
runs deep to temporalis m.
anterior ethmoidal
ophthalmic a.
anterior meningeal a., anterior anterior ethmoidal air cells,

septal br., anterior lateral nasal frontal paranasal sinus, dura
br.
mater in the anterior cranial
fossa, nasal mucosa,
olfactory nerves
anterior ethmoidal a. leaves

the orbit through the
anterior ethmoidal
foramen, then runs forward
on the cribriform plate
anterior inferior cerebellar basilar a.
labyrinthine (usually)
pons (motor nucleus of

cranial nerve V, chief
sensory nucleus of cranial
nerve V, abducens nucleus,
facial nucleus, superior
salivatory nucleus);
cerebellum; inner ear
shares its region of supply

with branches of the basilar
a.
anterior radicular

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)

cord
meninges; spinal cord; spinal anterior radicular aa.

nerve; ventral rootlets
anastomose with the
anterior spinal a.
anterior spinal

nucleus of cranial nerve X,
anterior spinal a.
anterior radicular brs. of
aa.)
nucleus ambiguus, spinal

the spinal rami of the

vertebral, posterior
lumbar and lateral sacral
aa.
anterior superior alveolar
infraorbital a.
maxillary incisor and canine anterior superior alveolar a.

teeth; part of the maxillary
sinus
bone of the maxilla
anterior tympanic
maxillary a.
no named branches
middle ear
anterior tympanic a. passes

through the petrotympanic
fissure along with the
chorda tympani n.
aortic arch

ascending aorta
brachiocephalic trunk, left

common carotid a., left
subclavian a.
the entire body except the

heart
aortic arch continues as the

descending thoracic aorta;
the fibrous ligamentum
arteriosum connects to the
inferior surface of the
aortic arch and it marks the
location of the fetal ductus
arteriosus aortic arch
continues as the descending
thoracic aorta
ascending cervical
inferior thyroid a.
ascending cervical a.
ascends on the anterior
surface of the anterior
scalene m. beside the
phrenic n.
ascending palatine
facial a.
no named branches
superior pharyngeal
constrictor, soft palate,
palatine tonsil
ascending palatine a. shares

supply of the tonsil bed
with 4 other aa. (see also:
tonsillar br. of the facial a.,

palatine br. of the
ascending pharyngeal a.,
tonsillar br. of the dorsal
lingual a., tonsillar br. of
the descending palatine a.)
ascending pharyngeal
external carotid a.
pharyngeal brs., inferior

tympanic a., posterior
meningeal a.
pharynx, meninges
ascending pharyngeal a.
arises from the medial side
of the external carotid a.
close to the birfurcation
auricular, deep
maxillary a.
no named branches
external auditory meatus,

tympanic membrane
deep auricular a. is small

and difficult to dissect
auricular, posterior
external carotid a.
stylomastoid br., auricular br., part of the external ear, scalp posterior auricular and
occipital br.
and deeper structures
greater occipital share their
posterior to the ear
region of distribution
basilar
formed by the joining of pontine brs., anterior inferior

the two vertebral aa.
cerebellar a., superior
cerebellar a., two posterior
cerebral aa. (terminal brs.)
aortic arch
subclavian a.
there is only one

buccal
maxillary a.
no named branches
buccal a. runs with the

buccal branch of CN V

basilar a. contributes blood
to the cerebral arterial
circle
oculomotor nucleus; nucleus
of Edinger-Westphal;
cerebellum; posterior
cerebrum
cheek and associated

muscles
caroticotympanic
internal carotid a.
no named branches
tympanic cavity
caroticotympanic a. courses
through the petrous portion
of the temporal bone
carotid, common
external carotid a., internal
(right), aortic arch (left) carotid a.
most of the head and upper

neck
common carotid a.
bifurcates at the level of the
superior border of the
thyroid cartilage; the
internal carotid a. and the
external carotid a. are its
terminal brs.; the carotid
sinus and carotid body are
located at the bifurcation
carotid, external
common carotid a.
superior thyroid a., ascending upper neck, face and scalp

pharyngeal a., lingual a., facial
a., occipital a., posterior
auricular a., maxillary a.,
superficial temporal a.
external carotid a. is the

face and superficial head;
the maxillary a. and
superficial temporal a. are
its terminal branches
carotid, internal
common carotid a.
none in the neck; in the head:

ophthalmic a., posterior
communicating a., anterior
cerebral a., middle cerebral a.
brain; eye and orbit;

forehead
internal carotid a. is the

brain; it anastomoses with
the vertebral aa. and the
contralateral internal
carotid a. in the cerebral
arterial circle (of Willis);
anterior and middle
cerebral aa. are the terminal
brs. of the internal carotid
a.
central, of retina
ophthalmic a.
superior nasal br., inferior

nasal br., superior temporal
retina
central a. of the retina is the

sole blood supply to the
br., inferior temporal br.
retina; it has no significant

collateral circulation and
blockage of this vessel
leads to blindness; its
branches are viewed in a
funduscopic exam
cerebellar, anterior
inferior
basilar a.
labyrinthine a. (usually)

cerebellum; inner ear
anterior inferior cerebella

a. shares its region of
supply with branches of the
basilar a.
cerebellar, posterior
inferior
vertebral a.
posterior spinal a.
part of cerebellum; medulla

(cochlear nucleus, vestibular
nucleus, dorsal motor
nucleus ambiguus)
posterior inferior cerebellar

supply with the vertebral a.
and anterior spinal a.
(watershed region)
cerebellar, superior
basilar a.
no named branches
upper cerebellum; trochlear

nucleus
there may be more than one

superior cerebellar a.
arising from the basilar a.
on each side
cerebral, anterior
internal carotid a.
anterior communicating a.,

medial frontobasal a., polar
frontal a., callosomarginal a.,
precuneal a.

of the frontal lobe; medial
side of the parietal lobe;
corpus callosum and part of
the limbic lobe; olfactory
bulb and tract; optic nerve,
the anterior communicating

a. unites the two anterior
cerebral aa. across the
midline
cerebral arterial circle
an anastomotic circle of this is an anastomotic loop;

blood vessels formed by major named vessels connect
brain and midbrain
also known as: arterial

circle of Willis
portions of the
here, but there are no named
following vessels:
branches of the arterial circle
posterior cerebral aa.
(2); posterior
communicating aa. (2);
internal carotid aa. (2);
anterior cerebral aa. (2);
anterior communicating
a.
cerebral, middle
internal carotid a.
lateral frontobasal a.;

frontal, parietal and temporal the middle cerebral a. is the
prefrontal sulcal a.; precentral lobes, especially on their
direct continuation of the
sulcal a.; central sulcal a.;
lateral surfaces
internal carotid a.
anterior parietal a.; posterior
parietal a.; anterior, middle
and posterior temporal aa.
cerebral, posterior
basilar a.
posterior cerebral a.; anterior

and posterior temporal brs.;
medial occipital a.
part of the brainstem

the two posterior cerebral
(oculomotor nucleus,
aa. are the terminal brs. of
nucleus of Edingerthe basilar a.
Westphal, trochlear nucleus);
of the temporal lobe;
occipital lobe
cervical, ascending
inferior thyroid a.
ascending cervical a.
ascends on the anterior
surface of the anterior
scalene m. beside the
phrenic n.
cervical, deep
costocervical trunk
deep muscles of the

posterior neck
deep cervical a.
occipital a. near the
occipital bone
cervical, transverse
thyrocervical trunk


rise to the dorsal scapular
a. ~30% of the time
choroidal
internal carotid a.
no named branches
choroid plexus; optic nerve,

choroidal a. follows the

optic tract
ciliary, anterior
muscular brs. of the

ophthalmic a.
no named branches
anterior part of eyeball
anterior ciliary aa. course

deep to the conjunctiva to
reach the region
surrounding the iris
ciliary, posterior
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
eyeball
posterior ciliary aa. may be

classified as short
(supplying the posterior
eyeball) and lone
(supplying the anterior
eyeball); short and long
posterior ciliary aa. are
identical in their size and
course external to the
eyeball
common carotid
external carotid a., internal
(right), aortic arch (left) carotid a.
most of the head and upper

neck
common carotid a.
bifurcates at the level of the
superior border of the
thyroid cartilage; the
internal carotid a. and the
external carotid a. are its
terminal brs.; the carotid
sinus and carotid body are
located at the bifurcation
communicating, anterior
anterior cerebral a.
anterior communicating a.
is a short vessel of
anastomosis which crosses
perforating aa.
the midline to join the

paired anterior cerebral aa.;
it is part of the Circle of
Willis
communicating, posterior internal carotid a.
perforating aa.
a vessel of anastomosis
which connects the internal
carotid a. to the posterior
cerebral a.; part of the
Willis)
costocervical trunk

intercostal a.
deep muscles of the

ends of the first 2 intercostal
spaces
costocervical trunk is
located between the
anterior scalene m. and the
middle scalene m.; it arches
posteriorly over the
cricothyroid
superior thyroid a.
no named branches
cricothyroid m., inferior

pharyngeal constrictor m.
cricothyroid a. travels with

the external br. of the
superior laryngeal n.
deep cervical
costocervical trunk
deep muscles of the

posterior neck
deep cervical a.
occipital a. near the
occipital bone
descending palatine
maxillary a.
greater palatine a., lesser

palatine a.
palate
descending palatine a.
accompanies the greater
palatine n. within the
palatine canal
dorsal lingual
lingual a.
no named branches
posterior tongue, palatine

tonsil, soft palate
dorsal lingual a. is only one

of five arteries that supply
the tonsil bed
dorsal nasal
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
dorsum of the nose
dorsal nasal a. anastomoses

with the angular a.
dorsal scapular

dorsal scapular a.
scapular anastomosis;
dorsal scapular a is a
branch of the transverse
cervical a. in ~30% of
cases
ethmoidal, anterior
ophthalmic a.
anterior meningeal a., anterior anterior ethmoidal air cells,

septal br., anterior lateral nasal frontal paranasal sinus, dura
br.
mater in the anterior cranial
fossa, nasal mucosa,
olfactory nerves
ethmoidal, posterior
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
external carotid
common carotid
superior thyroid a., ascending upper neck, face and scalp

pharyngeal a., lingual a., facial
a., occipital a., posterior
auricular a., maxillary a.,
facial
external carotid a.
ascending palatine a., tonsilar

br., submental a., superior
labial a., inferior labial a.,
lateral nasal a., angular a.
anterior ethmoidal a. leaves

the orbit through the
anterior ethmoidal
foramen, then runs forward
on the cribriform plate
posterior ethmoidal air cells; posterior ethmoidal a.

olfactory nerves
leaves the orbit through the
posterior ethmoidal
foramen
external carotid a. is the
face and superficial head;
the maxillary a. and
superficial temporal a. are
its terminal branches
lower part of the palatine

the angular branch of the
tonsil, submandibular gland, facial a. anastomoses with
facial muscles and fascia
the ophthalmic a.
facial, transverse
no named branches
parotid gland, masseter m.,

facial muscles and skin
transverse facial a.
anastomoses with branches
of the buccal, infraorbital
and facial aa.
greater palatine
no named branches
hard palate, palatine glands,

palatine mucosa
greater palatine a.
palatine n., it is endangered
by anesthetic injections for
dental procedures
inferior alveolar
maxillary a.
lingual br., mylohyoid a.,

dental brs., mental a.
mandibular teeth and

gingiva; mandible;
mylohyoid m.
inferior alveolar a. runs

with the inferior alveolar
nerve within the
mandibular canal
inferior labial
facial a.
no named branches
skin, muscles, fasciae and

mucosa of the lower lip
inferior labial a. shares its

region of distribution with
branches of the mental a.
inferior laryngeal
inferior thyroid a.
no named branches
internal part of the inferior

larynx
inferior laryngeal a.
accompanies the inferior
laryngeal n.
inferior thyroid
thyrocervical trunk
ascending cervical a., inferior

laryngeal a., esophageal brs.,
tracheal brs., glandular brs.
thyroid gland, lower larynx,

upper trachea, upper
esophagus, deep neck
muscles
inferior thyroid a. gives rise

to the ascending cervical a.
as it arches medially
internal carotid
common carotid a.
none in the neck; in the head:

ophthalmic a., posterior
communicating a., anterior
cerebral a., middle cerebral a.
brain; eye and orbit;

forehead
internal carotid a. is the

brain; it anastomoses with
the vertebral aa. and the
contralateral internal
carotid a. in the cerebral
arterial circle (of Willis);
anterior and middle

cerebral aa. are the terminal
brs. of the internal carotid
a.
infraorbital
maxillary a.
anterior superior alveolar a.,

maxillary sinus, maxillary

incisors, canine and
premolar teeth, skin of the
cheek below the orbit,
mucosa over the maxillary
alveolar arch and the
adjacent cheek
infraorbital a. is one of four

terminal branches of the
maxillary a. (see also:
descending palatine a.,
sphenopalatine a., posterior
superior alveolar a.)
labial, inferior
facial a.
no named branches

mucosa of the lower lip
inferior labial a. shares its

region of distribution with
branches of the mental a.
labial, superior
facial a.
septal br.

mucosa of the upper lip,
lower part of the anterior end
of the nasal septum
superior labial a. supplies

the orbicularis oris m. and
the levator labii superioris
m.
labyrinthine
anterior inferior
cerebellar a. (or basilar
a.)
no named branches
internal ear
labyrinthine a.
accompanies cranial nerves
VII and VIII through the
internal acoustic meatus
lacrimal
ophthalmic a.
lateral palpebral aa. (2)
lacrimal gland, lateral sides

of the eyelids
lacrimal a. accompanies the

lacrimal n.
laryngeal, inferior
inferior thyroid a.
no named branches
internal part of the inferior

larynx
inferior laryngeal a.
accompanies the inferior
laryngeal n.
laryngeal, superior
superior thyroid a.
no named branches
internal aspect of the

superior larynx
superior laryngeal a.
penetrates the thyrohyoid
membrane in company
with the internal br. of the

lateral nasal
facial a.
no named branches
lateral side of the nose
lateral nasal a. anastomoses

with the dorsal nasal a.
lateral palpebral
lacrimal a.
superior br., inferior br.
lateral sides of the upper and the 2 lateral palpebral aa.

lower eyelids
anastomose with the two
medial palpebral aa. to
form the superior and
inferior palpebral arches
lesser palatine
no named branches
muscles of the soft palate,

mucosa and glands of the
soft palate, upper part of the
tonsil bed
lingual
external carotid a.
suprahyoid br., dorsal lingual

brs., deep lingual a.,
sublingual a.
tongue, suprahyoid muscles, lingual a. is the 2nd branch

palatine tonsil
off of the anterior side of
the external carotid a.; it
may arise in common with
the facial a.
lingual, deep
lingual a.
no named branches
anterior tongue
deep lingual a. is the

terminal br. of the lingual a.
lingual, dorsal
lingual a.
no named branches
posterior tongue, palatine

tonsil, soft palate
dorsal lingual a. is only one

of five arteries that supply
the tonsil bed
masseteric
maxillary a.
no named branches
masseter m.
masseteric a. passes
through the mandibular
notch to enter the deep
surface of the masseter m.
maxillary
external carotid a.
deep auricular a., anterior

deep face, infratemporal
tympanic a., middle meningeal fossa, tympanic cavity,
lesser palatine a. is
endangered by anesthetic
injections for dental
procedures
maxillary a. may course

medial or lateral to the
a., inferior alveolar a.,

masseteric a., posterior deep
temporal a., anterior deep
temporal a., buccal a.,
posterior superior alveolar a.,
infraorbital a., a. of the
pterygoid canal, descending
palatine a., sphenopalatine a.
muscles of mastication
lateral pterygoid m.
medial palpebral
ophthalmic a.
medial aspects of the upper

and lower eyelids
the 2 medial palpebral aa.

lateral palpebral aa. to form
the superior & inferior
palpebral arches
meningeal, middle
maxillary a.
frontal br., parietal br., petrous most of the dura mater

br., superior tympanic br.
(approx. 80%), bones of the
cranial vault
middle meningeal a. passes

through the foramen
spinosum; it may be torn
by a fracture at the pterion;
it is encircled by the
auriculotemporal n.
mental
inferior alveolar a.
no named branches
mental a.passes through the

mental foramen; it
inferior labial a.; it
accompanies the mental n.
middle cerebral
internal carotid a.
lateral frontobasal a.;

frontal, parietal and temporal the middle cerebral a. is the
prefrontal sulcal a.; precentral lobes, especially on their
direct continuation of the
sulcal a.; central sulcal a.;
lateral surfaces
internal carotid a.
anterior parietal a.; posterior
parietal a.; anterior, middle
and posterior temporal aa.
middle meningeal
maxillary a.
frontal br., parietal br., petrous most of the dura mater
skin, superficial fascia and

facial mm. of the chin and
lower lip
middle meningeal a. passes
br., superior tympanic br.
(approx. 80%), bones of the

cranial vault
through the foramen

spinosum; it may be torn
by a fracture at the pterion;
it is encircled by the
auriculotemporal n.
middle superior alveolar
infraorbital a.
maxillary premolar teeth;

part of the maxillary sinus

bone of the maxilla
middle temporal
no named branches
temporalis m.
middle temporal a.
posterior br. of the deep
temporal a.
mylohyoid
inferior alveolar a.
no named branches
mylohyoid m.
mylohyoid a. accompanies
the mylohyoid n. to the
mylohyoid m.; a rare artery
because it enters the
superficial surface of its
target muscle
nasal, dorsal
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
dorsum of the nose
dorsal nasal a. anastomoses

with the angular a.
nasal, lateral
facial a.
no named branches
lateral side of the nose
lateral nasal a. anastomoses

with the dorsal nasal a.
occipital
external carotid a.
sternocleidomastoid brs.,
auricular br., mastoid br.,
descending br., occipital brs.
lateral neck, posterior neck,

posterior scalp
occipital a. anastomoses
with the deep cervical a.; it
courses with the greater
occipital nerve on the
posterior surface of the
head
ophthalmic
internal carotid a.
central retinal a., lacrimal a.,
optic nerve, optic chiasm
ophthalmic a. provides the
muscular brs., anterior

ethmoidal a., posterior
ethmoidal a., medial palpebral
a., supraorbital a.,
supratrochlear a., dorsal nasal
a.
optic tract, retina,

only artery to the retina
extraocular mm., eyelids,
(central retinal a.)
forehead, ethmoidal air cells,
lateral nasal wall, dorsum of
the nose
palatine, ascending
facial a.
no named branches
superior pharyngeal
constrictor, soft palate,
palatine tonsil
ascending palatine a. shares

supply of the tonsil bed
with 4 other aa. (see also:
tonsillar br. of the facial a.,
palatine br. of the
ascending pharyngeal a.,
tonsillar br. of the dorsal
lingual a., tonsillar br. of
the descending palatine a.)
palatine, descending
maxillary a.
greater palatine a., lesser

palatine a.
palate
palatine n. within the
palatine canal
palatine, greater
no named branches
hard palate, palatine glands,

palatine mucosa
greater palatine a.
palatine n., it is endangered
by anesthetic injections for
dental procedures
palatine, lesser
no named branches
muscles of the soft palate,

mucosa and glands of the
soft palate, upper part of the
tonsil bed
lesser palatine a. is
endangered by anesthetic
injections for dental
procedures
palpebral, lateral
lacrimal a.
lateral sides of the upper and the 2 lateral palpebral aa.

lower eyelids
medial palpebral aa. to
form the superior and

inferior palpebral arches
palpebral, medial
ophthalmic a.
medial aspects of the upper

and lower eyelids
the 2 medial palpebral aa.

lateral palpebral aa. to form
the superior & inferior
palpebral arches
pharyngeal, ascending
external carotid
pharyngeal brs., inferior

pharynx
tympanic, posterior meningeal
posterior auricular
external carotid a.
stylomastoid br., auricular br., part of the external ear, scalp posterior auricular and
occipital br.
and deeper structures
greater occipital share their
posterior to the ear
region of distribution
posterior cerebral
basilar a.
posterior cerebral a.; anterior

and posterior temporal brs.;
medial occipital a.
part of the brainstem

the two posterior cerebral
(oculomotor nucleus,
aa. are the terminal brs. of
nucleus of Edingerthe basilar a.
Westphal, trochlear nucleus);
of the temporal lobe;
occipital lobe
posterior communicating
internal carotid a.
perforating aa.
a vessel of anastomosis
which connects the internal
carotid a. to the posterior
cerebral a.; part of the
Willis)
posterior deep temporal
maxillary a.
no named branches
posterior part of the

temporalis m.
posterior deep temporal a.

branches in the
arises from the medial side

of the external carotid a.
close to the birfurcation
posterior ethmoidal
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
posterior ethmoidal air cells; posterior ethmoidal a.

olfactory nerves
leaves the orbit through the
posterior ethmoidal
foramen
posterior inferior
cerebellar
vertebral a.
posterior spinal a.
part of cerebellum; medulla

(cochlear nucleus, vestibular
nucleus, dorsal motor
nucleus ambiguus)
posterior radicular

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
no named branches
meninges; spinal cord; spinal posterior radicular aa.

nerve; dorsal rootlets
posterior septal
sphenopalatine a.
(several small brs.)
no named branches
posterior aspect of the nasal

septum
posterior septal a. supplies

the mucous membrane of
the nasal septum
posterior spinal
(posterior inferior
subcostal, lumbar,
lateral sacral aa.)

nucleus gracilis)

anastomose with the
posterior radicular brs. of
aa.
posterior superior alveolar maxillary a.
maxillary molar teeth; part

of the maxillary sinus
posterior superior alveolar

a. enters the maxilla in the
infratemporal fossa
quadrigeminal
no named branches
trochlear nerve; corpora
blockage of the
posterior cerebral
posterior inferior cerebellar

supply with the vertebral a.
and anterior spinal a.
(watershed region)
quadrigemina
quadrigeminal a. results in
paralysis of the superior
oblique m. of the eye
radicular, anterior

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)

cord
meninges; spinal cord; spinal anterior radicular aa.

nerve; ventral rootlets
anastomose with the
anterior spinal a.

lower posterior
usually on left
no named branches
lower spinal cord

branches of several
vessels (vertebral,
lumbar, and lateral
sacral aa.)
no named branches
meninges; spinal cord; spinal posterior radicular aa.

nerve; dorsal rootlets
sphenopalatine
maxillary a.
posterior lateral nasal brs.,

posterior septal brs.
posterolateral nasal wall,

sphenopalatine a.
posteroinferior nasal septum, accompanies the
hard palate behind the
nasopalatine n.
maxillary incisor teeth
spinal, anterior
aa.)

nucleus ambiguus, spinal

spinal cord levels
the anterior spinal a.

anterior radicular brs. of
aa.
spinal, posterior
(posterior inferior
subcostal, lumbar,
lateral sacral aa.)

nucleus gracilis)

anastomose with the
posterior radicular brs. of
aa.
stylomastoid
posterior auricular a.
no named branches
tympanic cavity, mastoid air stylomastoid br. of the

cells
posterior auricular a. passes
through the stylomastoid
foramen in company with
the facial n.
subclavian
brachiocephalic a.
1st part: vertebral a.,
(right), aortic arch (left) thyrocervical trunk, internal
thoracic a.; 2nd part:
costocervical trunk; 3rd part:
dorsal scapular a. (70%)
neck, brain, spinal cord,

thyroid gland, larynx,
shoulder, chest muscles,
upper limb
subclavian a. is continuous
with the axillary a., the
name change occurs at the
lateral border of the first
rib; anterior scalene muscle
passes anterior to the
subclavian a., dividing it
into 3 parts
sublingual
lingual a.
no named branches
mylohyoid m., sublingual

gland, floor of the mouth
sublingual a. is one of three

branches of the lingual a.
(see also: dorsal lingual a.,
deep lingual a.)
submental
facial a.
no named branches
muscles, skin and fascia

under the chin;
submandibular gland
submental a. supplies the

submandibular gland and
the mylohyoid m. in
addition to the skin and
superficial fascia
superficial temporal
external carotid a.
transverse facial a.; anterior

auricular brs.; zygomaticoorbital a.; middle temporal a.;
frontal br.; parietal br.
scalp of the lateral side of

the head; lateral face;
temporalis m.
superficial temporal a. and

maxillary a. are the
external carotid a.
superior cerebellar
basilar a.
no named branches
upper cerebellum; trochlear

nucleus
there may be more than one

superior cerebellar a.
arising from the basilar a.
on each side
superior labial
facial a.
septal br.

mucosa of the upper lip,
lower part of the anterior end
of the nasal septum
superior labial a. supplies

the orbicularis oris m. and
the levator labii superioris
m.
superior laryngeal
superior thyroid a.
no named branches
internal aspect of the

superior larynx
superior laryngeal a.
penetrates the thyrohyoid
membrane in company
with the internal br. of the
superior thyroid
external carotid a.
infrahyoid br.,
thyroid gland, upper part of
sternocleidomastoid br.,
the larynx, infrahyoid mm.,
superior laryngeal a.,
sternocleidomastoid m.
cricothyroid br., glandular brs.
superior thyroid a. is
usually the first branch of
the external carotid a.
supraorbital
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
muscles, skin and fascia of

the forehead
supraorbital a. accompanies
the supraorbital n.
suprascapular
thyrocervical trunk
muscular
supraspinatus &
infraspinatus, shoulder joint

circumflex scapular a. and
the dorsal scapular a. to
form the scapular
anastomosis
supratrochlear
ophthalmic a.
no named branches
muscles, skin and fascia of

the medial forehead
supratrochlear a.
accompanies the
supratrochlear n.
temporal, anterior deep
maxillary a.
no named branches
anterior part of temporalis

m. and surrounding deep
tissues
anterior deep temporal a.

branches in the
temporal, middle
no named branches
temporalis m.
middle temporal a.
posterior br. of the deep
temporal a.
temporal, posterior deep
maxillary a.
no named branches
posterior part of the

temporalis m.
posterior deep temporal a.

branches in the
temporal, superficial
external carotid a.
transverse facial a.; anterior

auricular brs.; zygomaticoorbital a.; middle temporal a.;
frontal br.; parietal br.
scalp of the lateral side of

the head; lateral face;
temporalis m.
superficial temporal a. and

maxillary a. are the
external carotid a.
thoracic, internal
subclavian a. (1st part)
pericardiocophrenic a.,
perforating brs., anterior
intercostal aa., mediastinal
brs., thymic brs.,
musculophrenic a., superior
epigastric a.
mediastinum, anterior
thoracic wall, anterior
abdominal wall, respiratory
diaphragm
internal thoracic a. is also

known as: internal
mammary a.
thyrocervical trunk


thyrocervical trunk does

not give rise to the
ascending cervical a.- it is a
branch of the inferior
thyroid a.
thyroid, inferior
thyrocervical trunk
ascending cervical a., inferior

laryngeal a., esophageal brs.,
thyroid gland, lower larynx,

upper trachea, upper
inferior thyroid a. gives rise

to the ascending cervical a.
tracheal brs., glandular brs.
esophagus, deep neck

muscles
as it arches medially
thyroid, superior
external carotid a.
infrahyoid br.,
thyroid gland, upper part of
sternocleidomastoid br.,
the larynx, infrahyoid mm.,
superior laryngeal a.,
sternocleidomastoid m.
cricothyroid br., glandular brs.
superior thyroid a. is
usually the first branch of
the external carotid a.
thyroidea ima
brachiocephalic a. or
aortic arch
no named branches
transverse cervical
thyrocervical trunk


rise to the dorsal scapular
a. ~30% of the time
transverse facial
no named branches
transverse facial a.
anastomoses with branches
of the buccal, infraorbital
and facial aa.
trunk, brachiocephalic
aortic arch
subclavian a.
there is only one


intercostal a.
deep muscles of the

ends of the first 2 intercostal
spaces
costocervical trunk is
located between the
anterior scalene m. and the
middle scalene m.; it arches
posteriorly over the
trunk, thyrocervical
thyrocervical trunk does
isthmus of the thyroid gland, thyroidea ima a. is present

upper trachea
in 10% of individuals; it is
clinically significant
because it is a midline
artery in the region of
tracheostomy; ima means
"lowest"
parotid gland, masseter m.,

facial muscles and skin
not give rise to the

ascending cervical a.- it is a
branch of the inferior
thyroid a.
tympanic, anterior
maxillary a.
no named branches
middle ear
anterior tympanic a. passes

through the petrotympanic
fissure along with the
chorda tympani n.
vertebral

brs., basilar a.
deep neck, cervical spinal

cord, spinal cord; medulla
(dorsal motor nucleus of
cranial nerve X, nucleus
ambiguus, spinal accessory
nucleus and hypoglossal
nucleus)
vertebral a. anastomoses
with the internal carotid a.
in the cerebral arterial
circle (of Willis); it courses
through the transverse
foramina of vertebrae C1C6

Arteries of The Back

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Arteries of The Back

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Arteries of the Back - Arranged Alphabetically

they arise as multiple

they accompany the ventral

meninges; spinal cord;

anterior radicular aa.

pial arterial plexus

meninges; spinal cord;

1st part: superior thoracic a.; pectoral region, shoulder

pectoralis minor m. crosses

unnamed muscular branches

deep muscles of the neck

ascending cervical a. ascends

unnamed muscular branches

deep muscles of the

deep cervical a. anastomoses

unnamed muscular branches, trapezius muscle and

transverse cervical a. gives

subclavian a., 2nd part

deep cervical a., highest

deep muscles of the

costocervical trunk is located

unnamed muscular branches

deep muscles of the

deep cervical a. anastomoses

subclavian a., 3rd part

unnamed muscular branches

levator scapulae m.,

great anterior radicular

the spinal br. of the

lower spinal cord

great anterior radicular a.

posterior br., spinal br.,

intercostal muscles, spinal

posterior intercostal aa.

internal iliac a.,

sacrum, sacral nerve

there are usually 2 lateral

anterior br., posterior br.,

psoas major m., psoas

the 4 lumbar arteries on each

5th lumbar aa.

median sacral a. appears to

they arise as multiple

meninges; spinal cord;

posterior radicular aa.

pial arterial plexus

spinal cord, especially the

paired; posterior spinal aa.

they arise as multiple

they accompany the ventral

meninges; spinal cord;

anterior radicular aa.

the spinal br. of the

lower spinal cord

great anterior radicular a.

they arise as multiple

meninges; spinal cord;

posterior radicular aa.

internal iliac a.,

sacrum, sacral nerve

there are usually 2 lateral

5th lumbar aa.

median sacral a. appears to