Superior epigastric artery
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Vinicius Carraro do Nascimento had no recorded disclosures.
View Vinicius Carraro do Nascimento's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures- Superior epigastric arteries
The superior epigastric artery is one of two terminal branches of the internal thoracic artery with the other being the musculophrenic artery.
Gross anatomy
Origin and course
The superior epigastric artery originates at the level of the sixth or seventh costal cartilage. It descends to the anterior abdominal wall, crossing the diaphragm in the interval between the sternal and the costal parts of the muscle. Here it lies anterior to the transverse abdominis muscle and perforates the rectus abdominis muscle.
The superior epigastric artery anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery, which is a branch of the external iliac artery, providing an important alternate blood supply if the aorta becomes occluded (see: coarctation of the aorta).
Branches
Branches of the superior epigastric artery perforate the rectus sheath and supply the skin of the abdomen.
Supplies
- anterior abdominal wall
- skin of the abdomen
References
- 1. Gray's Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. (2011) ISBN:0443066841. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Incoming Links
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