Editing Male Pelvis (section)

==== External iliac artery ====

* '''Source: branch of the common iliac artery'''
* '''Location: Follows the medial border of the iliopsoas muscle''' along the arcuate line '''<span style="color:#ff0000">and leaves the pelvis beneath the inguinal ligament and continues as the femoral artery'''
* '''Surgical considerations'''
** '''Only vessel in the pelvis without adequate collateral circulation; if ligated will cause significant sequella'''
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Branch (1):'''
** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Inferior epigastric artery'''§
*** '''Source: branch of the external iliac artery'''
*** '''Location'''
**** Branches off of the external iliac artery proximal to the inguinal ligament and '''ascends medially along the anterior abdominal wall, medial to the internal inguinal ring; enveloped by lateral umbilical ligament'''
**** Insert figure
*** '''Hesselbach triangle borders (3):'''
**** '''Lateral: inferior epigastric vessels'''
**** '''Medial: rectus abdominus muscle'''
**** '''Inferior: inguinal ligament'''
*** Pierces transversalis fascia as it continues to ascend superiorly and superficially, until it levels posterior to rectus once is crosses the arcuate line/linea semicircularis. Continues to rise superiorly until it terminates by piercing rectus abdominis and branches and forms and anastamosis with the superior epigastric arteries, at approximately the level of the superior epigastric arteries.
*** '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Branches (3):'''
***# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Deep circumflex iliac</span> – supplies inguinal ligament and surrounding structures laterally (See Figure), can also arise directly from external iliac'''
***# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Pubic</span>''' – supplies inguinal ligament and surrounding structures medially
***# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Cremesteric</span> – supplies vas deferens and testis'''
***## '''In 25% of people, an accessory obturator artery arises from the inferior epigastric artery''' and runs medial to the femoral vein to reach the obturator canal. This vessel must be avoided during obturator lymph node dissection
***## '''Rectus muscle and overlying skin'''
** '''Surgical considerations'''
*** '''Can be ligated without complication because the rectus is richly collateralized''' from above and laterally