Topics

Topic

design image
Superior gluteal artery

The superior gluteal artery is the largest branch of the internal iliac artery’s posterior division. It exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis muscle, making it a key vascular landmark in the gluteal region.

After emerging into the gluteal region, it divides into superficial and deep branches. The superficial branch runs between the gluteus maximus and medius, supplying the gluteus maximus muscle. The deep branch passes between the gluteus medius and minimus, giving ascending and descending branches that supply gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae muscles, and anastomose with the inferior gluteal and lateral femoral circumflex arteries.

Clinically, the SGA is an important artery for buttock flap reconstructions, vascular grafting, and is at risk during intramuscular injections, pelvic trauma, and posterior hip approaches. Injury may result in significant hemorrhage due to its large caliber.

Synonyms

  • Arteria glutea superior

  • Largest posterior branch of internal iliac artery

Function

  • Supplies gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae

  • Provides blood to surrounding pelvic and gluteal fasciae

  • Contributes to anastomoses with inferior gluteal, lateral femoral circumflex, and iliolumbar arteries

  • Serves as a vascular pedicle for gluteal muscle flaps in reconstructive surgery

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a linear hypointense flow void in the greater sciatic foramen and gluteal region

  • Surrounded by bright fat planes, aiding identification

T2-weighted images:

  • Vessel lumen: signal void

  • Thrombosis or aneurysm: may appear hyperintense or heterogeneous

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat, improving visualization of the artery within gluteal musculature

  • Detects perivascular edema, trauma, or inflammatory changes

T1 Fat-Suppressed Post-Gadolinium:

  • Enhances brightly and homogeneously

  • Defines artery’s origin, course, and muscular branches

  • Useful in detecting tumor vascular supply, pseudoaneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations

MRA Pelvis with Gadolinium:

  • Excellent visualization of the arterial origin from internal iliac posterior division

  • Demonstrates its course above piriformis and branching in gluteal muscles

  • Critical for preoperative mapping, trauma evaluation, and vascular malformation assessment

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Appears as a small vessel structure near the greater sciatic notch

  • Not well seen without contrast

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Vessel opacifies brightly, showing course, branches, and perivascular pathology

  • Useful for evaluating trauma or postoperative complications

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Gold standard for non-invasive evaluation

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions show origin, trajectory through greater sciatic foramen, superficial and deep branches, and anastomoses

  • Detects vascular injury, aneurysm, stenosis, or tumor feeders

  • Important in buttock flap surgery planning

CT VRT 3D image

superior gluteal artery CT 3D VRT anatomy image

CT image

superior gluteal artery CT axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

superior gluteal artery MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Superior gluteal artery ct axial

MRI image

Superior gluteal artery MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000