- Anterior to the aortic bifurcation extending inferiorly between the common iliac arteries and along the left common iliac vein and median sacral vessels
- Origin
- Pelvic splanchnic branches (parasympathetic) from the right and left hypogastric nerves via the inferior hypogastric plexus
- Lumbar splanchnic branches (sympathetic)
- Nerves from the aorticorenal plexus also contribute
- Gives origin to a complex network of small branches and the left and right hypogastric nerves which extend inferiorly to the inferior hypogastric plexuses
- Supplies large bowel distal to the left third of the transverse colon, ureters, gonads and the iliac vessels