Superior gluteal artery

The superior gluteal artery (Latin: arteria glutaea superior) is the largest branch of the internal iliac artery. It arises from the posterior trunk of the internal iliac artery and supplies arterial blood to the gluteal muscles (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus), tensor fasciae latae, piriformis, and to the hip joint.

The superior gluteal artery passes posteriorly between the lumbosacral trunk and the first sacral nerve. It leaves the pelvic cavity via the suprapiriform foramen, and then divides into superficial and deep branches. The superior gluteal artery forms an anastomoses with the inferior gluteal artery and the lateral circumflex femoral artery.