The "lesser pelvic loop" of the external iliac artery.

The dorsal part of the external iliac a. may extend down into the pelvis minor either lateral or medial to the external iliac v. as well as to the obturator nerve. In such cases, the relationship to the direct projection of the acetabulum on the inner surface of the pelvis minor may be of interest to orthopedic surgeons in hip-joint replacement operations and to vascular surgeons.