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=='''External Iliac Artery'''==

=='''External Iliac Artery'''==

The external iliac artery is the principal artery of the hindlimb. Once it branches from the aorta it runs along the ilial body. Prior to entering the '''femoral canal''' (formed by the sartorius cranially and the gracilis and pectineus caudally) it detaches the deep femoral artery and on leaving the abdomen the external iliac continues as the femoral artery. The femoral artery continues between the adductor muscles on the medial aspect of the thigh to reach the caudal side of the stifle. Here it continues as the popliteal artery.

The external iliac artery is the principal artery of the hindlimb. Once it branches from the aorta it runs along the ilial body. Prior to entering the '''femoral canal''' (formed by the sartorius cranially and the gracilis and pectineus caudally) it detaches the deep femoral artery and on leaving the abdomen the external iliac continues as the femoral artery. The femoral artery continues between the adductor muscles on the medial aspect of the thigh to reach the caudal side of the stifle. Here it continues as the popliteal artery. There are a number of arteries that branch off the external iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries.

 

Below are the arteries in the order in which they branch off the external iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries:

 

From the '''external iliac artery''', the first branch is the '''deep femoral a.''' which arises in the abdomen near the femoral canal and gives rise to the short pudendoepigastric trunk before continuing as the medial circumflex femoral artery. The '''pudendoepigastric trunk''' then branches into the '''caudal epigastric a.''' which runs cranially on the deep aspect of the straight abdominal muscles. The second branch of the '''external iliac a.''' is the '''external pudendal a.''' which runs through the inguinal canal and branches off to supply numerous reproductive structures. The third branch is the '''medial circumflex femoral a.''' and this supplies the caudal half of the rectus abdominus and the muscles of the medial thigh.

 

* '''External iliac a.'''

** '''Deep femoral a.''' - arises in the abdomen near the femoral canal and gives rise to the short pudendoepigastric trunk before continuing as the medial circumflex femoral artery.  

From the '''femoral a.''', the first branch is the '''superficial circumflex iliac a.''' which supplies the sartorius, tensor fascia lata and rectus femoris. The '''lateral circumflex femoral a.''' which branches off the '''superficial circumflex iliac a.''' supplies the quadriceps, tensor fascia lata, the superficial and middle gluteals, and the hip joint capsule. The '''proximal caudal femoral a.''' is the second branch from the '''femoral a.''', branching at the mid-thigh region and supplying the pectineus, adductor muscles and gracilis. The third branch is the '''saphenous a.''' which arises proximal to the stifle and supplies the skin on the medial aspect of the stifle. The '''saphenous a.''' also has cranial and caudal branches. This artery and its vessels lie very superficially and the cranial branch gives rise to the '''dorsal common digital arteries''' and the caudal gives rise to the '''plantar common digital arteries'''; both of which supply the foot. The branches following the '''saphenous a.''' in order are the '''descending genincular a.''' supplying the medial surface of the stifle, the '''middle caudal femoral a.''' supplying the distal parts of the adductor and semimembranosus muscles and the '''distal caudal femoral a.''' which is the last branch of the femoral artery before it becomes the politeal artery. It supplies the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius and the digital flexors.  

*** '''The pudendoepigastric trunk'''

**** Caudal Epigastric a. - runs cranially on the deep aspect of the straight abdominal muscles.

**** External Pudendal a. - runs through the inguinal canal and branches off to supply numerous reproductive structures.

The '''popliteal a.''' supplies the stifle, gastrocnemius, popliteal muscle and terminates by branching into the cranial and caudal tibial arteries. The '''cranial tibial a.''' supplies the peroneus longus, long digital extensor and cranial tibial muscles whilst the '''caudal tibial a.''' is a small branch that lies in the interosseous space between the tibia and fibula. The '''dorsal pedal a.''' is a continuation of the '''cranial tibial a.''' and runs over the flexor surface of the tarsus and supplies the tarsus.  

** '''Medial circumflex femoral a.''' - its supplies the caudal half of the rectus abdominus and the muscles of the medial thigh.

 

 

* '''Femoral a.'''

** '''Superficial circumflex iliac a.''' - it supplies the sartorius, tensor fascia lata and rectus femoris.

** '''Lateral circumflex femoral a.''' - branches off with the superficial circumflex; it supplies the quadriceps, tensor fascia lata, the superficial and middle gluteals, and the hip joint capsule.

** '''Proximal caudal femoral a.''' - branches off at the mid-thigh region and supplies the pectineus, adductor muscles and gracilis.  

** '''Saphenous a.''' - arises proximal to the stifle and supplies the skin on the medial aspect of the stifle. It branches into a cranial and caudal branch. This artery and its vessels lie very superficially. The cranial branch gives rise to the '''dorsal common digital arteries''' and the caudal gives rise to the '''plantar common digital arteries'''; both of which supply the foot.  

** '''Descending genincular a.''' - supplies the medial surface of the stifle.

** '''Middle caudal femoral a.''' - supplies the distal parts of the adductor and semimembranosus muscles.

** '''Distal caudal femoral a.''' - the last branch of the femoral artery before it becomes the politeal artery. It supplies the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius and the digital flexors.  

 

 

* '''Popliteal a.''' - supplies the stifle, gastrocnemius, popliteal muscle and terminates by branching into the cranial and caudal tibial arteries.  

** '''Cranial tibial a.''' - supplies the peroneus longus, long digital extensor and cranial tibial muscles.  

*** '''Dorsal Pedal a.''' - a continuation of the cranial tibial artery, it runs over the flexor surface of the tarsus and supplies the tarsus.  

**** '''Arcuate a.''' - the main blood supply to the foot.  

**** '''Arcuate a.''' - the main blood supply to the foot.  

***** '''Dorsal metatarsal aa.''' - supplies the paw dorsally.  

***** '''Dorsal metatarsal aa.''' - supplies the paw dorsally.  

****** '''Perforating branch''' - this anastomoses with the caudal branch of the saphenous artery and contribute to the plantar metatarsal arteries that supply the digits.  

****** '''Perforating branch''' - this anastomoses with the caudal branch of the saphenous artery and contribute to the plantar metatarsal arteries that supply the digits.  

[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Vascular System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Vascular System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:To Do - A&P]]

[[Category:To Do - A&P]]