Have you ever wondered how your legs and hips get blood, that is, life? When we walk, run, and even just stand, the energy and oxygen needed for all this is carried by blood. So, there is a main system of vessels that continuously supplies blood to the lower part of our body. We are going to talk about it today. These are called the 'Iliac Artery' or the pelvic artery in medical science.
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Simply put, what is this 'Iliac Artery'?
The 'iliac artery' is the main network of blood vessels that supplies blood to the lower part of our body, that is, the legs, hips, pelvic area, and reproductive system. Think of the largest blood vessel in our body, the aorta, which starts from the heart, as a main pipe from a large water tank. When this main pipe reaches the abdomen, specifically near the navel, it divides into two main branches. Those two branches are what we call the 'iliac arteries'.
These belong to a category called peripheral arteries . The word 'peripheral' refers to arteries that supply blood to parts of the body that are a little further from the heart. So these iliac arteries are essential for the health of our legs.
What are the main functions of this vascular system?
As a very important part of our entire body's circulatory system, there are several areas that are primarily supplied with blood by the iliac artery.
- Lower extremities: This includes your legs, feet, hips, buttocks, and thighs. These blood vessels provide the oxygen and nutrients your muscles need when you walk, run, or exercise.
- Abdominal and back muscles: Some of the muscles in our abdomen and back also receive blood from branches of this vascular system.
- Reproductive system: These also help provide the blood supply needed for the healthy functioning of the reproductive system of both women and men.
- Other organs in the pelvic area: The iliac artery also contributes to providing blood supply to organs such as our bladder, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Simply put, the health of our body below the waist is almost entirely dependent on the health of these iliac arteries.
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Check Availability →How the 'iliac artery' branches in the body
As we mentioned earlier, the abdominal aorta divides into two main branches. These are called the right common iliac artery and the left common iliac artery .
These two common iliac arteries, traveling about an inch downstream, each divide into two more major branches. Just like a large branch from a tree trunk divides into two smaller branches. These two branches are:
1. External Iliac Artery
2. Internal Iliac Artery
Each of these arteries divides into smaller branches that carry blood to the relevant organs and muscles. Let's look at this in a little more detail.
| Artery Branch | Description and main blood supply locations |
|---|---|
| External Iliac Artery | This is the largest branch of the common iliac artery. Its main function is to supply blood to the legs and feet. This artery becomes the 'Femoral Artery' in the thigh. Main branches:
|
| Internal Iliac Artery | This artery divides into many smaller branches and supplies blood to the organs in the pelvic cavity. Main blood supply sites:
|
What are the diseases that affect the iliac arteries?
Like other blood vessels in our body, the iliac arteries can be affected by a variety of conditions. Some of these are very common, while others are quite rare.
- Atherosclerosis: This is the most common problem. Simply put, the walls of blood vessels become narrowed and hardened by the build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances (called plaque). It's like rust clogging a water pipe. This blocks blood flow.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Atherosclerosis of the iliac arteries reduces blood supply to the legs and feet. The main symptom is severe pain in the legs, especially in the groin area, when walking for a short distance . This pain subsides after a short rest. If left untreated, this condition can lead to stroke, heart attack, and in some cases, even amputation of the legs .
- Iliac artery stenosis: In some people, the walls of the iliac arteries can become stiff and narrow due to a rare condition called Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). These arteries are more likely to rupture (dissections) or weaken and bulge (aneurysms).
- May-Thurner syndrome: This is also a rare condition. In this condition, the common iliac artery on the right side and the common iliac vein on the left side (a vessel that carries blood back to the heart) are compressed against the spine. This pressure makes it difficult for blood to flow through the veins of the left leg, increasing the risk of blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) .
So how do we protect these important blood vessels?
Fortunately, making a few simple changes to our lifestyle can help protect the health of our iliac arteries and reduce the risk of developing conditions like PAD.
- Be active more days of the week: Even simple exercise like walking for 30 minutes every day can make a big difference. Exercise improves blood circulation.
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Reduce foods high in fat, cholesterol, and salt. Include more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains in your diet.
- Avoid smoking completely: Smoking is one of the biggest enemies of these blood vessels. It damages the artery walls and accelerates the condition of Atherosclerosis. If you can quit smoking today, it will be the greatest gift you can give yourself.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight puts unnecessary strain on the heart and blood vessels.
- Manage stress: Things like yoga, meditation, and talking to a friend can help reduce stress.
- Manage other medical conditions: If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it is essential to manage them well according to your doctor's instructions.
What time should I see a doctor?
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, it is very important to see your doctor immediately for advice.
- Pain when walking: Pain or cramps in the legs, thighs, or buttocks, especially when walking for short distances.
- Difficulty walking: If you have difficulty walking due to weakness or numbness in your legs.
- Non-healing wounds: If wounds on the legs or feet are slow to heal or do not heal at all.
- Pain even at rest: As the condition worsens, you may experience leg pain even while sleeping at night.
Don't dismiss leg pain as a result of aging or fatigue. It could be an early sign of a serious condition like PAD.
Your doctor can measure how well your blood is flowing in your legs with a few simple, painless tests (such as the Ankle-Brachial Index - ABI) to help make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for you. So, never ignore your symptoms.
💡 Take-Home Message
- The 'Iliac Artery' is a vital blood vessel system that supplies blood to our legs, hips, and pelvic area.
- Leg pain when walking can be a major symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Don't ignore it as something normal.
- A healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking) can protect the health of these blood vessels.
- If you have symptoms such as leg pain, non-healing wounds, or difficulty walking, see your doctor without delay.
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