The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis.
Structure
The external iliac artery arises from the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the psoas major muscles. They exit the pelvic girdle posterior and inferior to the inguinal ligament. This occurs about one third laterally from the insertion point of the inguinal ligament on the pubic tubercle.
Branches
{| class="wikitable"
! Branch || Description
|-
| Inferior epigastric artery || Goes upward to anastomose with superior epigastric artery (a branch of internal thoracic artery).
|-
| Deep circumflex iliac artery|| Goes laterally, travelling along the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.
|-
| Femoral artery