What vessel supplies blood to the common iliac artery (CIA)?

The common iliac artery (CIA) is primarily supplied with blood directly from the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, and it branches into the common iliac arteries at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Each common iliac artery then branches into the internal and external iliac arteries, which supply the pelvis and lower limbs.

Understanding the anatomical hierarchy of blood supply is crucial for recognizing how blood travels through the body. The inferior mesenteric artery primarily supplies blood to the colon and does not directly relate to the supply of blood to the CIA. The external iliac artery is a branch of the common iliac artery, not a source of supply to it. Lastly, the femoral artery originates from the external iliac artery and is responsible for supplying blood to the thigh and lower leg, further distancing it from being a source of supply to the common iliac artery itself.