White dog shaker syndrome

Vesical arteries are blood vessels that supply the urinary bladder. There are three types of vesical arteries: superior, inferior, and middle. The superior vesical arteries are usually two in number, a medial and a lateral. The inferior vesical artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that supplies the lower part of the bladder and the prostate in males. The middle vesical artery is a rare artery that arises from the obturator artery.

Anatomy

The superior vesical arteries are usually two in number, a medial and a lateral. They arise from the internal iliac artery, and supply the upper part of the bladder. The inferior vesical artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that supplies the lower part of the bladder and the prostate in males. The middle vesical artery is a rare artery that arises from the obturator artery.

Function

The vesical arteries supply blood to the urinary bladder, a hollow muscular organ that collects urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. The bladder is located in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone.

Clinical significance

Damage to the vesical arteries can lead to hematuria, or blood in the urine. This can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as bladder cancer or a bladder infection. Treatment for hematuria depends on the underlying cause.

See also

• Urinary bladder
• Internal iliac artery
• Obturator artery