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Either of two large arteries originating from the abdominal aorta; they supply blood to the pelvis, abdominal wall and legs.

This term has been given to several arteries. The Primary Iliacs arise from the bifurcation of the aorta, opposite the body of the 4th lumbar vertebra, and descend, in a divergent manner; until, opposite the sacro-iliac symphysis, they divide into two considerable trunks, - the internal Iliac or hypogastric (which see), and the external Iliac- Portion Iliaque de la crurale, (Ch.) This proceeds from the sacro-iliac juncture as far as the crural arch, when it assumes the name Femoral Artery. Before passing under the arch it gives off two pretty considerable branches, - the Epigastric, and the Circumflexa Ilii. This last, which is called, also, anterior Iliac by some anatomists, - Circonflexe de l'Ilium (Ch.); leaves the external iliac at the crural arch. It ascends along the outer edge of the iliacus muscle, and divides into two branches- an internal and an external. The Iliaca Inter'na Minor sen is a small artery, which sometimes arises from the hypogastric; at others, from the beginning of the gluteal. It is sent, chiefly, to the psoas and iliacus internus muscles.