Inferior epigastric artery
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gunasena R, Hacking C, Bukhari W, et al. Inferior epigastric artery. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45184
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rID:
45184
Article created:
17 May 2016, Rivindi Gunasena
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Rivindi Gunasena had no recorded disclosures.
View Rivindi Gunasena's current disclosuresLast revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresRevisions:
11 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Inferior epigastric arteries
- deep inferior epigastric artery
The inferior epigastric artery arises from the external iliac artery and is an important artery supplying the anterior abdominal wall. If a superficial inferior epigastric artery is present, as seen in about two-thirds of cases, then the inferior epigastric artery is referred to as the deep inferior epigastric artery.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
- origin: from the medial wall of the distal external iliac artery just superior to the inguinal ligament
- course: it ascends in an oblique path passing along the medial border of the deep inguinal ring, it then punctures the transversalis fascia and ascends to enter the rectus sheath just beneath the arcuate line although this is variable
- termination: anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery above the umbilicus
-
branches: cremasteric artery, pubic branch and muscular branches
- muscular branches vary in number and course - these are important in the planning of DIEP flaps
- supply: rectus abdominis muscle; deep abdominal wall of the pubic and lower umbilical regions
- relations: is accompanied by the inferior epigastric vein or veins and is crossed by the ductus deferens or round ligament of the uterus
Variant anatomy
- can arise beneath the inguinal ligament from the common femoral artery or profunda femoris artery
- can arise from a common trunk with the obturator artery arising from the external iliac artery
- can be doubled
- can rarely arise from the obturator artery
Related pathology
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Jakubowicz M, Czarniawska-Grzesiñska M. Variability in origin and topography of the inferior epigastric and obturator arteries. Folia Morphol. (Warsz). 1996;55 (2): 121-6. Pubmed citation
- 2. Standring S. Gray's anatomy. Elsevier. ISBN:0808923714. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically oriented anatomy. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. ISBN:0781775256. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Won HS, Won HJ, Oh CS et-al. The inferior epigastric artery arising from the internal iliac artery via a common trunk with the obturator artery. Anat Cell Biol. 2012;45 (4): 285-7. doi:10.5115/acb.2012.45.4.285 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
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