Gluteal arteries !

The superior and inferior gluteal arteries leave the pelvis above and below the piriformis to supply the buttock muscles and hip.

Official name: Superior gluteal artery

See in 3D →

Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.

What it is

The superior and inferior gluteal arteries, branches of the internal iliac artery that leave the pelvis above and below the piriformis.

What it does

Supply the gluteal muscles, the hip joint and the skin of the buttock.

Key facts

Origin: Internal iliac artery: superior from posterior division, inferior from anterior division
Branches: Superior: superficial and deep branches; inferior: muscular, artery to sciatic nerve, cruciate anastomosis
Supplies: Gluteal muscles and hip; superior leaves above piriformis, inferior below it (greater sciatic foramen)

Relations

Course: Superior: from the posterior division, passes between the lumbosacral trunk and the first sacral ramus and leaves through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis; inferior: from the anterior division, passes between the first and second (or second and third) sacral rami and leaves below the piriformis
Superficial: The gluteus maximus covers both; the superficial branch of the superior gluteal artery enters its deep surface
Deep: The deep branch of the superior gluteal artery runs between the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus with the superior gluteal nerve toward the tensor fasciae latae

How to find it

Not palpable. The superior gluteal artery leaves the pelvis at the junction of the upper and middle thirds of a line from the posterior superior iliac spine to the tip of the greater trochanter; the inferior gluteal artery emerges lower, beside the sciatic nerve.

On imaging

Shown by CT angiography or catheter angiography as they leave the pelvis through the greater sciatic notch, the superior above the piriformis. After a pelvic ring fracture, a blush of contrast near the notch on CT means active bleeding, often from the superior gluteal artery, and can be treated by embolization. Doppler ultrasound shows a buttock pseudoaneurysm after trauma or surgery.

Common problems

Can be injured in pelvic fractures, causing serious bleeding.

Clinical notes

Cut at the greater sciatic notch (posterior iliac crest graft harvest, pelvic surgery), the superior gluteal artery can retract into the pelvis, making bleeding hard to control
Gluteal artery perforator flaps from the buttock are used in breast reconstruction
Internal iliac artery disease causes buttock claudication by reducing their flow

Anatomical variants

Persistent sciatic artery: the embryonic axial artery remains as a large continuation of the inferior gluteal artery, running with the sciatic nerve to the popliteal fossa while the femoral artery stays small; rare, and prone to aneurysm
The inferior gluteal and internal pudendal arteries often leave the anterior division of the internal iliac as a common trunk

Development

The inferior gluteal artery is the remnant of the embryonic axial (sciatic) artery; if that vessel persists in full, it continues down the back of the thigh into the popliteal artery.

Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

From which divisions of the internal iliac artery do the superior and inferior gluteal arteries arise?

Superior gluteal from the posterior division; inferior gluteal from the anterior division.

How do the gluteal arteries relate to the piriformis as they leave the pelvis?

The superior gluteal artery leaves above the piriformis with the superior gluteal nerve; the inferior gluteal artery leaves below it with the sciatic nerve.

Which gluteal artery is commonly injured in posterior pelvic ring fractures, and how is it often treated?

The superior gluteal artery; it is a common target for catheter embolization.

Why are intramuscular buttock injections given in the upper outer part?

To avoid the gluteal arteries and the sciatic nerve.

Add to my cards (4)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Its names

Official Latin (TA2): arteria glutea superior; arteria glutea inferior TA2 4310
Official Spanish (DeCS): Arterias glúteas
English (TA2): Superior gluteal artery
Also called: arteria glutaea superior · arteria glutea cranialis

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Hip Arteries; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Arteries of the Lower Extremity (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.

Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

Gluteal arteries highlighted on the Durgical 3D model