Arteries of the Gluteal Region-Superior Gluteal Artery-Inferior Gluteal Artery-The- Trochanteric Anastomosis

Arteries of the Gluteal Region

Superior Gluteal Artery

The superior gluteal artery is a branch from the internal iliac artery and enters the gluteal region through the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis. It divides into branches that are distributed throughout the gluteal region.

 

Inferior Gluteal Artery

The inferior gluteal artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery and enters the gluteal region through the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen, below the piriformis. It divides into numerous branches that are distributed throughout the gluteal region.

The Trochanteric Anastomosis

The trochanteric anastomosis provides the main blood supply to the head of the femur. The nutrient arteries pass along the femoral neck beneath the capsule. The following arteries take part in the anastomosis: the superior gluteal artery, the inferior gluteal artery, the medial femoral circumflex artery, and the lateral femoral circumflex artery.

The Cruciate Anastomosis

The cruciate anastomosis is situated at the level of the lesser trochanter of the femur and, together with the trochanteric anastomosis, provides a connection between the internal iliac and the femoral arteries. The following arteries take part in the anastomosis: the inferior gluteal artery, the medial femoral circumflex artery, the lateral femoral circumflex artery, and the first perforating artery, a branch of the profunda artery.

Veins of the Lower Limb

The veins of the lower limb can be divided into three groups: superficial, deep, and perforating. The superficial veins consist of the great and small saphenous veins and their tributaries, which are situated beneath the skin in the superficial fascia.

The constant position of the great saphenous vein in front of the medial malleolus should be remembered for patients requiring emergency blood transfusion. The deep veins are the venae comitantes to the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, the popliteal vein, and the femoral veins and their tributaries. The perforating veins are communicating vessels that run between the superficial and deep veins. Many of these veins are found particularly in the region of the ankle and the medial side of the lower part of the leg. They possess valves that are arranged to prevent the flow of blood from the deep to the superficial veins.