[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Gluteal arteries [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Gluteal arteries The superior and inferior gluteal arteries leave the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) above and below the piriformis to supply the buttock muscles and hip. Official name: Superior gluteal artery [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=gluteal_arteries&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The superior and inferior gluteal arteries, branches of the [internal iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) of the buttock. ## Key points - The superior gluteal artery leaves above the piriformis with the superior gluteal nerve; the inferior gluteal artery leaves below it with the [sciatic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sciatic-nerve/), inferior gluteal nerve and [posterior femoral cutaneous nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-femoral-cutaneous-nerve/) - Posterior pelvic ring fractures often injure the superior gluteal artery, a common target for catheter embolization - Intramuscular injections go in the upper outer part of the buttock to avoid these vessels and the sciatic nerve ## 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/piriformis-muscle/); 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-maximus-muscle/) 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-medius-muscle/) and [gluteus minimus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-minimus-muscle/) with the [superior gluteal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-nerve/) toward the [tensor fasciae latae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-artery/) 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 ## Related - [Piriformis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/piriformis-muscle/) - [Superior gluteal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-nerve/) - [Gluteal veins](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-veins/) - [Gluteus maximus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-maximus-muscle/) - [Gluteus medius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-medius-muscle/) - [Gluteus minimus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gluteus-minimus-muscle/) - [Tensor fasciae latae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tensor-fasciae-latae/) - [Obturator internus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-internus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Hip Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542174/); 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. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-gluteal-artery/