Corpus: Deep circumflex iliac artery

The deep iliac circumflex artery is a branch of the external iliac artery that runs along the iliac crest of the pelvis.

The deep circumflex iliac artery arises – almost opposite the origin of the inferior epigastric artery – from the lateral aspect of the external iliac artery. The vessel rises behind the inguinal ligament obliquely laterally to the anterior superior iliac spine. There it anastomoses with the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

In its further course, the artery pierces the transverse fascia and runs cranially and dorsally along the inner lamella of the iliac crest. Approximately in the center of the crest, it perforates the transversus abdominis muscle. It then continues its course between this muscle and the internal abdominal oblique muscle and forms anastomoses with the iliolumbar artery and the superior gluteal artery.

Opposite the anterior superior iliac spine, the deep iliac circumflex artery gives off a large ascending branch (ascending ramus). It runs cranially between the obliquus internus and the transversus abdominis muscle and supplies both with arterial blood. It anastomoses with the lumbar arteries and the inferior epigastric artery.

The accompanying vein of the deep circumflex iliac artery is called the circumflex iliac vein.