The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.
Structure
The common iliac artery are about 4 cm long in adults and more than a centimeter in diameter. It begins as a branch of the aorta. This is at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. This is most common at the aortic bifurcation.
{|class="wikitable"
| Normal || Diameter ≤ 12 mm
|-
| Ectasia|| Diameter 12 to 18 mm
|-
| Aneurysm || Diameter ≥ 18 mm
|}
Additional images
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Gray539.png|Bifurcation of the aorta and the right common iliac artery - side view. Hypogastric artery is an old term for internal iliac artery. (Com. iliac. a. is visible at center bottom left.)
File:Gray824.png|Deep and superficial dissection of the lumbar plexus.
File:Gray1121.png|Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, and great vessels.
File:Common iliac artery.jpg|Common iliac arteries
</gallery>