Median sacral artery

The median sacral artery (or middle sacral artery) is a small vessel that arises posterior to the abdominal aorta and superior to its bifurcation.

Median sacral artery
The abdominal aorta and its branches. (Middle sacral visible at center bottom.)
The arteries of the pelvis. (Middle sacral labeled at upper right.)
Details
Sourceabdominal aorta
VeinMedian sacral vein
Suppliescoccyx, lumbar vertebrae, sacrum
Identifiers
Latinarteria sacralis mediana
TAA12.2.12.008
FMA14757
Anatomical terminology

It descends in the middle line in front of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum and coccyx, ending in the glomus coccygeum (coccygeal gland).

Minute branches pass from it, to the posterior surface of the rectum.

On the last lumbar vertebra it anastomoses with the lumbar branch of the iliolumbar artery; in front of the sacrum it anastomoses with the lateral sacral arteries, sending offshoots into the anterior sacral foramina.

It is crossed by the left common iliac vein and accompanied by a pair of venae comitantes; these unite to form a single vessel that opens into the left common iliac vein.

The median sacral artery is morphologically the direct continuation of the abdominal aorta. It is vestigial in humans, but large in animals with tails such as the crocodile.

See also

Additional images
  • The iliac veins.
  • Scheme of the anastomosis of the veins of the rectum.
  • The relations of the viscera and large vessels of the abdomen.
  • Median sacral artery
  • Pelvic contents: male. Superior view. Deep dissection.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 613 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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