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Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyAbdomenNerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomenMedian sacral artery
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ArticlesAnatomyAbdomenNerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomenMedian sacral artery

Median sacral artery

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Francesca Salvador, MSc
Last reviewed: December 05, 2022
Reading time: 3 minutes

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Median sacral artery (Arteria sacralis mediana)

The median sacral artery is a narrow unpaired vessel that arises from the posterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. It usually originates immediately superior to the abdominal aortic bifurcation, at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra.

The median sacral artery is located roughly in the midline. It runs inferiorly over the anterior aspect of the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum towards the apex of the coccyx. On its course, it provides several small branches that supply the structures of the pelvis. These structures include: lumbar vertebrae (L4, L5), sacrum, coccyx and rectum.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the median sacral artery.

Key facts about the median sacral artery
Origin Abdominal aorta
Branches Arteriae lumbales imae, lumbar branches, lateral sacral branches
Supply Lumbar vertebrae (L4, L5), sacrum, coccyx, anorectal junction, posterior part of the rectum
Contents
  1. Origin and course
  2. Branches and supply
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and course

Median sacral artery
Arteria sacralis mediana
1/3
Synonyms: none

The median sacral artery arises from the posterior aspect of the distal part of the abdominal aorta. Usually, it originates immediately above the aortic bifurcation, at the level of the superior part of L4 vertebra.

The median sacral artery usually runs at the midline, descending across the ventral aspect of the distal part of the lumbar spine and sacrum, towards the apex of the coccyx. The artery is usually accompanied by the same-named vein that typically lies anterior to it. It terminates at the coccygeal body, near its apex.

Branches and supply

Lateral sacral artery
Arteria sacralis lateralis
1/5
Synonyms: none

The median sacral artery provides several small branches that supply the structures of the pelvis and form anastomoses with the other arteries from the same region. The median sacral artery supplies the lumbar and sacral vertebra, coccyx, anorectal junction and posterior part of the rectum.

  • The parietal lumbar branches arise at the level of the last two lumbar vertebrae. These branches form anastomotic networks with the same-named branches of the iliolumbar artery.
  • The small lumbar artery (arteria lumbalis ima) arises at the level of L5. It runs via the anococcygeal ligament to supply the anorectal junction.
  • The lateral sacral branches arise inferior to the sacral promontory. These branches anastomose with the lateral sacral arteries of the internal iliac artery.
  • Additionally, other small branches can arise from the median sacral artery to supply the posterior part of the rectum. These branches usually anastomose with the superior rectal and middle rectal arteries.

Learn more about the arteries of the sacrum with our articles, videos, labeled diagrams and quizzes.

Arteries of the vertebral column Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrators

  • Median sacral artery (Arteria sacralis mediana) - Paul Kim

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