Which artery is present only in males?

Which artery is present only in males?

• A. Inferior vesicular artery
• B. Vaginal artery
• C. Middle rectal artery
• D. Umbilical artery

Answer: (A)

The question hinges on vessels that reflect the difference in male and female pelvic anatomy. The inferior vesical artery is a branch of the internal iliac that mainly supplies the bladder base, the prostate, and the seminal vesicles. Those male reproductive organs are unique to males, so this artery is characteristic of the male pelvis and isn’t described as a distinct artery in females. In contrast, the vaginal artery supplies the vagina and related pelvic structures in females; the middle rectal artery supplies the rectum and nearby pelvic organs in both sexes; and the umbilical arteries are remnants of fetal circulation (present in the fetus but not as a functional adult pelvic artery).

The question hinges on vessels that reflect the difference in male and female pelvic anatomy. The inferior vesical artery is a branch of the internal iliac that mainly supplies the bladder base, the prostate, and the seminal vesicles. Those male reproductive organs are unique to males, so this artery is characteristic of the male pelvis and isn’t described as a distinct artery in females.

In contrast, the vaginal artery supplies the vagina and related pelvic structures in females; the middle rectal artery supplies the rectum and nearby pelvic organs in both sexes; and the umbilical arteries are remnants of fetal circulation (present in the fetus but not as a functional adult pelvic artery).