Which statement accurately describes the travel of the superior gluteal artery?

Which statement accurately describes the travel of the superior gluteal artery?

• A. Exits pelvis by greater sciatic foramen inferior to piriformis
• B. Passes between the lumbosacral trunk and anterior ramus of S1 spinal nerve
• C. Runs with the pudendal nerve in the infrapiriform space
• D. Travels anterior to the sacroiliac joint

Answer: (B)

The key idea is where the superior gluteal artery travels as it leaves the pelvis. It branches from the posterior division of the internal iliac and exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, positioned above the piriformis muscle. As it courses toward the gluteal region, it runs in a plane that lies between the lumbosacral trunk (L4–L5) and the anterior ramus of S1. This relationship—exiting above piriformis and passing between the lumbosacral trunk and S1 ventral ramus—matches the statement. It does not travel inferior to piriformis (that describes structures like the inferior gluteal vessels), it does not ride with the pudendal nerve in the infrapiriform space, and it isn’t characterized by a path anterior to the sacroiliac joint.

The key idea is where the superior gluteal artery travels as it leaves the pelvis. It branches from the posterior division of the internal iliac and exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, positioned above the piriformis muscle. As it courses toward the gluteal region, it runs in a plane that lies between the lumbosacral trunk (L4–L5) and the anterior ramus of S1. This relationship—exiting above piriformis and passing between the lumbosacral trunk and S1 ventral ramus—matches the statement.

It does not travel inferior to piriformis (that describes structures like the inferior gluteal vessels), it does not ride with the pudendal nerve in the infrapiriform space, and it isn’t characterized by a path anterior to the sacroiliac joint.