Corpus: Lateral sacral artery

The lateral sacral arteries are branches of the internal iliac artery that supply blood to the sacral region.

2.1. Superior branch

The larger, upper branch runs medially and enters the first or second anterior sacral foramen. Inside the sacral canal, it gives off several branches that supply the sacral canal and parts of the sacral bone. It exits the sacrum through the corresponding posterior sacral foramen and distributes blood to the muscles and subcutaneous tissue on the dorsal surface of the sacrum. Along its course, it anastomoses with terminal branches of the middle sacral artery and the superior gluteal artery.

2.2. Inferior branch

The smaller, lower branch runs diagonally across the front of the piriformis muscle and sacral nerves towards the medial side of the anterior sacral foramina. It descends along the anterior surface of the sacrum towards the coccyx, where it forms anastomoses with the middle sacral artery and the corresponding vessel on the opposite side. It gives off branches that enter the sacral foramina and re-emerge on the dorsal side of the sacrum.

The lateral sacral artery provides blood to the sacral canal, the piriformis muscle, and the muscles and skin covering the sacral region.