Question

Ureters cross what structures at the pelvic brim?

A) External iliac vessels
B) Common iliac vessels
C) Sacroiliac joint
D) Obturator nerve

Answer 1

The ureters cross the common iliac vessels at the pelvic brim, providing a landmark in surgical procedures and a potential site for complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ureters cross the common iliac vessels at the pelvic brim. These vessels are a continuation of the aorta, which splits into the left and right common iliac arteries at approximately the level of the L4 vertebra. The ureters, which are tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder, travel inferior to the pelvic brim and cross over the common iliac vessels before they enter the pelvis. This anatomical relationship is significant because it provides a landmark during surgeries and can be a site of potential complications if the ureters are inadvertently damaged.