Superficial external pudendal artery
Encyclopedia
The superficial external pudendal artery (superficial external pudic artery) arises from the medial side of the femoral artery
, close to the superficial epigastric artery
and superficial iliac circumflex artery
.
and fascia cribrosa
, it courses medialward, across the spermatic cord
(or round ligament
in the female
), to be distributed to the integument on the lower part of the abdomen
, the penis
and scrotum
in the male
, and the labium majus in the female
, anastomosing with branches of the internal pudendal artery
.
it crosses superficial to the inguinal ligament
Femoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
, close to the superficial epigastric artery
Superficial epigastric artery
The superficial epigastric artery arises from the front of the femoral artery about 1 cm below the inguinal ligament, and, passing through the femoral sheath and the fascia cribrosa, turns upward in front of the inguinal ligament, and ascends between the two layers of the superficial fascia of the...
and superficial iliac circumflex artery
Superficial iliac circumflex artery
The superficial iliac circumflex artery , the smallest of the cutaneous branches of the femoral artery, arises close to the superficial epigastric artery, and, piercing the fascia lata, runs lateralward, parallel with the inguinal ligament, as far as the crest of the ilium.It divides into branches...
.
Course and target
After piercing the femoral sheathFemoral sheath
The femoral sheath is formed by a prolongation downward, behind the inguinal ligament, of the fasciæ which line the abdomen, the transversalis fascia being continued down in front of the femoral vessels and the iliac fascia behind them....
and fascia cribrosa
Fascia cribrosa
The portion of fascia covering the fossa ovalis in the thigh is perforated by the great saphenous vein and by numerous blood and lymphatic vessels, hence it has been termed the fascia cribrosa , the openings for these vessels having been likened to the holes in a sieve.-Clinical significance:It has...
, it courses medialward, across the spermatic cord
Spermatic cord
The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the ductus deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.-Contents of spermatic cord:...
(or round ligament
Round ligament
In human anatomy, the term round ligament can refer to several structures:* Round ligament of uterus, also known as the ligamentum teres uteri...
in the female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
), to be distributed to the integument on the lower part of the abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
, the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
and scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
in the male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
, and the labium majus in the female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
, anastomosing with branches of the internal pudendal artery
Internal pudendal artery
The internal pudendal artery is an artery that branches off the internal iliac artery, providing blood to the external genitalia.The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery...
.
it crosses superficial to the inguinal ligament