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The major difference between the arteries and veins of the abdomen

is the fact that all the visceral venous return from the capillaries of the

digestive system and spleen pass via the hepatic portal system to the

Abdominal Vessels

capillaries of the liver before returning to the heart. Within the liver, both the hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein branch to

form a complex network of specialized capillaries called the hepatic sinusoids. The hepatic sinusoids then drain into the

hepatic veins to return the blood to the inferior vena cava.

Abdominal veins

Dissection of abdomen showing arteries and veins of the intestines

Anterior view

 1 Inferior vena cava

 2 Hepatic portal vein

 3 Superior mesenteric vein

 4 Right colic vein

 5 Inferior mesenteric vein

 6 Renal vein

 7 Superior mesenteric artery

 8 Inferior mesenteric artery

 9 Middle colic artery

10 Marginal artery

 11 Left colic artery

12 Common iliac artery

13 External iliac artery

14 Internal iliac artery

15 Superior gluteal artery

16 Inferior gluteal artery

17 Obturator artery

18 Internal pudendal artery

19 Lateral sacral artery

20 Superior vesical artery

21 Vaginal artery

22 Obliterated umbilical artery

23 Uterus

24 Bladder

25 Prostate

26 Rectum

27 Stomach

28 Kidney

29 Upper bands of sacral plexus

30 Sympathetic trunk

31 Inferior vesical artery

32 Middle rectal artery

33 Obturator nerve

34 Uterine artery

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The common iliac arteries, the terminal branches of the

aorta, carry all of the blood supply to the lower limbs and

pelvis. All pelvic viscera, along with the body wall anatomy

Pelvic Vessels

of the pelvis and perineal regions, receive their blood supply from the internal iliac artery. Numerous

branches arise from the internal iliac artery to supply the pelvic wall, the perineum, and the gluteal

region. Other branches course into the pelvic cavity to supply the viscera. The veins are similar in

name and course with the corresponding arteries.

Dissection of pelvic arteries of female

Medial view, anterior at left

Dissection of pelvic arteries of male

Medial view, anterior at right

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As in the upper limb, the main arterial

pathway into the lower limb consists of

a single, major arterial roadway that

Inferior Limb Vessels

gradually tapers as it gives rise to numerous branches on its pathway through the limb. This large

arterial roadway begins as the external iliac artery in the pelvis, passes beneath the inguinal ligament

to enter the thigh as the femoral artery, passes to the back of the knee to become the popliteal artery,

and in the proximal aspect of the leg bifurcates into the anterior tibial and posterior tibial arteries,

which course through the leg and into the foot.

Dissection of gluteal region showing gluteal arteries and nerves

Posterior view

 1 Superior gluteal artery

 2 Inferior gluteal artery

 3 Internal pudendal artery

 4 Femoral artery

 5 Deep artery of thigh

 6 Muscular branches of femoral

 7 Femoral vein

 8 Great saphenous vein

 9 External iliac artery

10 Internal iliac artery

 11 External iliac vein

12 Common iliac artery

13 Aorta

14 Gluteus maximus muscle

15 Sacrotuberous ligament

16 Piriformis muscle

17 Spermatic cord (cut)

18 Penis (cut)

19 Adductor longus muscle

20 Rectus femoris muscle

21 Vastus intermedius muscle

22 Gracilis muscle

23 Vastus lateralis muscle

24 Vastus medialis muscle

25 Fascia lata

26 Sartorius muscle

27 Iliacus muscle

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Dissection of femoral vessels in femoral triangle

Anterior view

Dissection of vessels of inferior limb

Anterior view

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Inferior Limb Vessels

 1 Popliteal artery

 2 Anterior tibial artery

 3 Posterior tibial artery

 4 Fibular artery

 5 Superior lateral genicular artery

 6 Inferior lateral genicular artery

 7 Inferior medial genicular artery

 8 Femoral vein

 9 Great saphenous vein

10 Femoral artery

 11 Superficial epigastric artery

12 Superficial epigastric vein

13 External pudendal vein

14 Superficial circumflex iliac vein

15 Superficial circumflex iliac artery

16 Femoral nerve

17 Soleus muscle

18 Popliteus muscle

19 Subcutaneous layer

20 Fascia lata

21 Sartorius muscle

22 Adductor longus muscle

23 Biceps femoris muscle

24 Semitendinosus muscle

25 Scrotum

Dissection of popliteal and crural arteries

Posterior view

Dissection of proximal crus revealing arteries

Posterior view

Dissection of popliteal region revealing arteries

Posterior view

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Similar to the veins of the upper limb, the venous pathways in the lower limb consist of both deep veins that accompany the

arteries, and superfi cial veins that course through the hypodermis. In the foot and leg, the deep veins form vena comitans with

their arterial counterparts; however, the more proximal popliteal and femoral veins are large single vessels accompanying

their associated arteries. Two major superfi cial venous channels receive numerous tributaries from smaller superfi cial veins

throughout the lower limb. These major superfi cial veins are the small saphenous vein and the great saphenous vein. Unlike

the upper limb, the majority of venous blood fl ow through the lower limb passes via the deep veins. Anastomosing veins

between the saphenous veins and the deep veins have one-way valves. The valves direct blood fl ow to the deep veins

where contractions of surrounding skeletal muscles facilitate movement of the blood toward the heart.

Dissection of femoral vein and tributaries in femoral triangle

Anterior view

Dissection of great saphenous vein

Anteromedial view

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