Artery: Internal pudendal artery
Left gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve.
The superficial branches of the internal pudendal artery.
Latin	arteria pudenda interna
Gray's	subject #155 617
Supplies	external genitalia, perineum
Source	internal iliac artery
Vein	Internal pudendal veins
Dorlands / Elsevier	Internal pudendal artery

The internal pudendal artery is an artery that branches off the internal iliac artery, providing blood to the external genitalia.

The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It is smaller in the female than in the male.

[edit] Path

It exits the pelvic cavity through the greater sciatic foramen to enter the gluteal region.

It then curves around the sacrospinous ligament to enter the perineum through the lesser sciatic foramen.

It travels through the pudendal canal with the internal pudendal veins and the pudendal nerve.

[edit] Branches

The internal pudendal artery gives off the following branches:

Some sources consider the urethral artery a direct branch of the internal pudendal artery^[1], while others consider it a branch of the perineal artery.^[2]

In males, the internal pudendal artery also gives rise to the perforating arteries of the penis.

[edit] Additional images

Internal iliac artery with branches, including internal pudendal artery.

Right hip bone. Internal surface.	Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.	The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery.	Diagram of the arteries of the penis.
The penis in transverse section, showing the bloodvessels.

[edit] See also

• Pudendal nerve
• Superficial external pudendal artery
• Deep external pudendal artery

[edit] References

1. ^ Internal pudendal artery at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
2. ^ Urethral+artery at eMedicine Dictionary

[edit] External links

• SUNY Figs 41:04-06 - "Inferior view of female perineum, branches of the internal pudendal artery."
• SUNY Figs 42:03-01 - "Branches of internal pudendal artery in the male perineum."
• SUNY Figs 43:07-14 - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. "
• SUNY Figs 44:06-00 - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the male pelvis. "
• SUNY Anatomy Image 9086
• Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 2503
• pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (pelvicarteries)
• Human anatomy at Dartmouth figures/chapter_32/32-2.HTM
• Human anatomy at Dartmouth figures/chapter_32/32-3.HTM
• Diagram at MSU