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Anatomic investigation of the origin and distribution of the internal pudendal artery in female cadavers
Author(s) -
Beech Sarah,
Adams Michael
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.820.4
Subject(s) - anatomy , trunk , cadaver , internal iliac artery , pelvis , medicine , inguinal ligament , biology , ecology
A formal understanding of female sexual anatomy is crucial for the evaluation and treatment of sexual dysfunction. Despite the higher prevalence of female compared to male dysfunction, there are limited investigations concerning the anatomy of female genital vasculature. In fact, a literature search on the internal pudendal artery (IPA), a vessel supplying the erectile tissue, found only 3 of 15 papers discussed female anatomy; and these focused on uterine arteries. A study of the IPA in female cadavers is long overdue and is lagging 30 years behind comparable male studies. The purpose of this study is to dissect and compare the architecture of the IPA bilaterally, with respect to vessel origin and distribution. Cadavers were selected based on quality of fixation and cause of death (COD); ie: vascular COD omitted. In most (4/5), the IPA was a branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac within the true pelvis. In one, a gluteopudendal trunk arose directly from the common iliac and the IPA did not start until the gluteopudendal trunk exited the true pelvis at the sacrotuberous ligament in another female. No consistent branching pattern was observed between or within subjects and there was substantial bilateral heterogeneity to the vasculature. These results indicate that the origin and distribution of the IPA is highly variable both within and between subjects. Research support source: Schulich Research Scholarship. Grant Funding Source Schulich Graduate Scholarship