Inferior epigastric artery
Arteria epigastrica inferior
A paired branch of the external iliac artery that climbs the inner surface of the lower anterior abdominal wall within the rectus sheath.
At a glance
- English
- Inferior epigastric artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria epigastrica inferior
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Trunk
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the inferior epigastric artery
The inferior epigastric artery springs from the front of the external iliac just above the inguinal ligament, close to where the external iliac becomes the femoral artery. It is paired, one on each side, and runs with a vein of the same name.
It first curves forwards in the extraperitoneal tissue and then climbs obliquely, passing along the medial side of the deep inguinal ring. Here the structures of the spermatic cord, or the round ligament in the female, hook round its lateral side. It then pierces the transversalis fascia, crosses in front of the arcuate line and enters the rectus sheath, where it runs upwards behind rectus abdominis and in front of the posterior layer of the sheath. Above the umbilicus it breaks into many branches that join the superior epigastric artery, which ends the internal thoracic artery, and the lower intercostal arteries.
This link creates a continuous channel between the subclavian and external iliac systems through the abdominal wall. It can carry blood around a narrowing of the aorta, as in coarctation. Near its origin the artery gives a cremasteric branch and a pubic branch; the pubic branch may join the obturator artery and sometimes replaces it, forming an abnormal obturator artery.
The vessel and its veins form the lateral boundary of the inguinal (Hesselbach) triangle. A hernia that comes out medial to them is a direct inguinal hernia, while one that enters the deep ring lateral to them is indirect, so the artery is a key landmark in hernia repair. It can be injured when ports are inserted in laparoscopic surgery or during procedures on the lower abdominal wall. It also supplies the skin and muscle flaps taken from the lower abdomen for reconstructive surgery.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- Springs from the external iliac just above the inguinal ligament.
- Ends in
- Ends above the umbilicus within the rectus sheath, its branches joining the superior epigastric artery and the lower posterior intercostal arteries.
- Supplies
- Supplies rectus abdominis, the lower anterior abdominal wall and overlying skin, with cremasteric and pubic branches near its origin.
Anthromica
See the inferior epigastric artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
