Superior Gluteal Artery
The Superior Gluteal Artery is a major blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the gluteal region, which includes the muscles of the buttocks. It branches off from the internal iliac artery and is essential for the health and function of the gluteal muscles, including the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus.
This artery travels through the greater sciatic foramen, located above the piriformis muscle, and divides into superficial and deep branches. The superficial branch supplies the skin and subcutaneous tissue, while the deep branch provides blood to the deeper muscles and structures in the area, playing a crucial role in lower limb movement and stability.