Clinical Anatomy of the Lateral Pelvic wall and a pelvic mass

Question 1

Where do the majority of arteries of the pelvis arise from?

Answer 1

Internal iliac artery

Exceptions

• gonadal artery: L2 abdominal aorta
• • superior rectal artery: continuation of inferior mesenteric*

Question 2

Where do veins drain via in the pelvis?

Answer 2

Drain mainly into internal iliac vein

• some will drain via superior rectal into hepatic portal system
• some will drain via lateral sacral veins into internal vertebral venous plexus