Anatomic structure of the internal iliac artery and its educative dissection for peripartum and pelvic hemorrhage

The abdominal aorta is divided into two parts (right and left) at the level of the fourth-fifth lumbar vertebra and called the common iliac artery. Anterior to the sacroiliac joint, common iliac arteries are divided into external and internal iliac arteries. The external iliac artery supplies the lower limb, and the internal iliac artery is the major vascular supply of the pelvis. Internal iliac artery is divided into anterior and posterior trunk. The anterior trunk supplies the pelvis, visceral organs, and the posterior trunk supplies pelvic parietal structures. The broad ligament envelopes the uterus anteriorly and posteriorly with its sheets and continues as the pelvic peritoneum at the lateral side of the pelvic wall. After cutting the pelvic peritoneum, the retroperitoneal area is visualized and the internal iliac artery with other great vessels of the abdomen can be noted.