The iliac arteries
Iliac arteries · arteriae iliacae
The arteries the aorta splits into, supplying the pelvis and legs.
What it does
The aorta divides into the left and right common iliac arteries at about the level of the belly button. Each splits again into an internal iliac artery, which supplies the pelvic organs and buttock, and an external iliac artery, which becomes the main artery of the leg.
Surprising fact
The aorta usually splits at about the level of your belly button, which is why you can sometimes feel a pulse there when lying on your back.
Why it matters
Narrowing of the iliac arteries can cause cramping pain in the buttocks or thighs when walking that eases with rest.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.