Superior Gluteal Artery, Lateral View

Description

Arising from the posterior division of the internal iliac artery, the superior gluteal artery courses posteriorly and laterally along the pelvic wall and exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis. From a lateral perspective, its relationship to the greater sciatic notch, the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments, and the overlying gluteus medius becomes legible, with the vessel then dividing into superficial and deep branches between gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. A clear positional cue is its superior location relative to the sciatic nerve and inferior gluteal neurovascular bundle as they pass inferior to piriformis. Clean anatomy. That anatomic corridor matters in pelvic and hip surgery because the superior gluteal artery travels with the superior gluteal nerve, and the deep branch runs close to the interval used in lateral and anterolateral hip approaches. Iatrogenic injury can produce brisk hemorrhage and, when the nerve is involved, a Trendelenburg gait from denervation of gluteus medius and minimus. Pseudoaneurysm of the superior gluteal artery after trauma or intramuscular injection is less common than inferior gluteal involvement but is a recognized cause of deep gluteal pain and a pulsatile mass. Use this artwork in gross anatomy teaching of the greater sciatic foramen and piriformis as a landmark, in orthopedic or pelvic surgery atlases to orient safe dissection planes, or in interventional radiology materials discussing pelvic hemorrhage embolization targets. It also supports rehabilitation and sports medicine content on hip abductor weakness when superior gluteal nerve and artery are at risk. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.