title: Evaluation of the origin and branching patterns of the iliolumbar artery and its implications on pelvic and vertebral surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the origin, distribution pattern, branches, and neighboring structures of the iliolumbar artery (ILA) concerning the anterolateral surgical approaches to the spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed in the Anatomy Department of Medical School, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey between 2014 and 2015. Pelvises of 11 male formalin-fixed human cadavers were dissected by anterior and posterior approaches under surgical microscope. The origins, distribution patterns, calibers, and distances to certain structures were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ILA was found as a single trunk on 17 sides arising either from the IIA (12 sides, 70.6%) or the PT (5 sides, 29.4%). The average caliber of those originated from the posterior trunk was significantly larger (p=0.010). The ILA started as a single trunk in 17 sides, while its lumbar and iliac branches separately originating from different arteries in 4 sides. The close relation of the posterior rami of both the lumbar and iliac branches with transverse process and spinal nerve were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that the ILA and its branches may have different and significant patterns, which may be crucial to consider during certain surgical procedures, such as far lateral disc herniation and posterior pelvic fixations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. E-mail. turann_koc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koç
authors.forename: İsmail Y
authors.initials: İY
authors.lastname: Gilan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aktekin
authors.forename: Zeliha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kurtoğlu
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dağtekin
authors.forename: Güneş
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aytaç
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coşgun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000098:blood supply*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery