iliac artery

[il-ee-ak ahr-tuh-ree]

noun

Anatomy.

1. Also called common iliac artery. either of two large arteries that conduct blood to the pelvis and the legs.

2. Also called external iliac artery. the outer branch of an iliac artery that becomes the femoral artery.

3. Also called hypogastric artery, internal iliac artery. the inner branch of an iliac artery that conducts blood to the gluteal region.

Word History and Origins

Origin of iliac artery¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

They discovered that his left iliac artery was completely blocked not far below his belly button.

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Embolism of the coronary arteries is rare, while embolism of the splenic artery, the left renal and left iliac arteries, is comparatively common, and in the order mentioned.

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The aorta and vena cava were united above the origin of the iliac arteries, so that no severing operation could have been performed without destroying them both.

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The common iliac artery, after a short course, divides into the internal and external iliac arteries.

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The posterior aorta coming from the heart passes backward and gives rise to the internal iliac arteries, and of these the umbilical arteries are branches.

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