Gonadal arteries course parallel to which muscle as they descend into the pelvis?

Gonadal arteries course parallel to which muscle as they descend into the pelvis?

• A. Psoas Muscle
• B. Iliacus
• C. Quadratus Lumborum
• D. Pectineus

Answer: (A)

Gonadal arteries descend from the abdominal aorta along the posterior abdominal wall, running parallel to the psoas major muscle as they move toward the pelvis. This relationship places the vessels next to the lateral edge of the psoas as they course down to supply the ovaries or testes. The other muscles listed lie in different regions (iliacus in the iliac fossa, quadratus lumborum higher up/posteriorly, and pectineus in the thigh/hip area), so they aren’t the structures these arteries follow.

Gonadal arteries descend from the abdominal aorta along the posterior abdominal wall, running parallel to the psoas major muscle as they move toward the pelvis. This relationship places the vessels next to the lateral edge of the psoas as they course down to supply the ovaries or testes. The other muscles listed lie in different regions (iliacus in the iliac fossa, quadratus lumborum higher up/posteriorly, and pectineus in the thigh/hip area), so they aren’t the structures these arteries follow.