The superior gluteal artery is a continuation of the posterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It is the largest branch of the internal iliac. It is short and thick. Passing backward, it pierces the pelvic fascia and runs between the first sacral nerve and the lumbosacral cord through an osseotendinous arch formed by the margin of the bone and the upper edge of the pelvic fascia. Along with the venae comites and the superior gluteal nerve, it leaves the pelvis at the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen and above the pyriformis muscle. It appears in the buttock underneath the gluteus maximus and between the gluteus medius and pyriformis to supply the buttock. Within the pelvis, it sends muscular branches to the coccygeus, pyriformis, levator ani, and obturator internus muscles, and a nutrient artery to the innominate bone just before its exit from the pelvis. Outside the pelvis it divides into a superficial and a deep branch.

Arteria glutea superior

Artère glutéale supérieure