Anatomical variations of iliolumbar artery and its relation with surgical landmarks.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal the variations of origin of iliolumbar artery, and its relations with the surrounding surgically important anatomical structures. The origin, diameter, and tract of iliolumbar artery were determined bilaterally in 21 formalin-fixed adult male cadavers (21 right and 21 left arteries) in the Laboratory of Department of Anatomy. Iliolumbar artery was originating from common iliac artery in 4.8% (2 arteries), internal iliac artery in 71.4% (30 arteries), posterior trunk of internal iliac artery in 19% (8 arteries), and as two different arteries from internal iliac artery in 4.8% (2 arteries) of the cases. The mean diameter of the iliolumbar artery was 3.7 mm. The anatomical properties of iliolumbar artery and its relation with anatomical landmarks, which were presented here, would be helpful in decreasing iatrogenic trauma to iliolumbar artery during surgery.