Vasculature of the Pelvis

The common iliac is a branch of the aorta that approaches pelvic brim and can be helpful in identifying the ureter where it crosses its bifurcation into the external and the internal iliac arteries. Then ureter enters the broad ligament along the posterior leaf where it travels medially under the uterine vessels before entering the bladder trigone. These are the essential landmarks during laparoscopic dissection while performing a hysterectomy. Other important vascular structures are the branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery also known as hypogastric artery, in particular uterine artery, obturator artery, superior vesical and obliterated umbilical arteries.