These are paired arteries with a right and left branch and are terminal branches of the aorta. It provides a blood supply to the pelvic viscera, the walls of the pelvic cavity and the lumbar and gluteal muscle masses. The following describes the initial branches (in order) of when they branch off and arteries of particular relevance to the hindlimb will be indicated.
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These are paired arteries with a right and left branch and are terminal branches of the aorta. They provide a blood supply to the pelvic viscera, the walls of the pelvic cavity and the lumbar and gluteal muscle masses. The following describes the initial branches (in order) of when they branch off and arteries of particular relevance to the hindlimb will be indicated.
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The '''median sacral artery''' arises from either the left or right internal iliac and supplies the sacrum and tail. The '''internal pudendal artery''' is the primary branch of the internal iliac and provides blood to the reproductive organs and urinary tract. The '''caudal gluteal artery''' supplies the superficial gluteal muscle and the proximal 'hamstring muscles'. The '''iliolumbar artery''' is the first branch of the caudal gluteal and supplies the psoas minor, iliopsoas, sartorius, tensor fascia lata and the middle gluteal muscles. The '''cranial gluteal artery''' arises from the caudal gluteal and passes over the greater ischiatic notch and supplies the gluteal muscles. The tail is supplied by the '''lateral caudal artery''' whilst the '''dorsal perineal artery supplies the perineum.
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The '''median sacral a.''' arises from either the left or right internal iliac and supplies the sacrum and tail. The '''internal pudendal a.''' is the primary branch of the internal iliac and provides blood to the reproductive organs and urinary tract. The '''caudal gluteal a.''' supplies the superficial gluteal muscle and the proximal 'hamstring muscles'. The '''iliolumbar a.''' is the first branch of the caudal gluteal and supplies the psoas minor, iliopsoas, sartorius, tensor fascia lata and the middle gluteal muscles. The '''cranial gluteal a.''' arises from the caudal gluteal and passes over the greater ischiatic notch and supplies the gluteal muscles. The tail is supplied by the '''lateral caudal a.''' whilst the '''dorsal perineal a.''' supplies the perineum.