Superficial epigastric vein

At a glance

English

Superficial epigastric vein

Latin (TA2)

Vena epigastrica superficialis

System

Vein

Region

Lower limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the superficial epigastric vein

The superficial epigastric vein drains the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower front of the abdomen, below the umbilicus. It runs in the superficial fascia, accompanying the superficial epigastric artery, a small branch of the femoral artery. From the abdominal wall it passes downwards and slightly outwards, crossing over the inguinal ligament to reach the upper thigh.

There it ends near the saphenous opening, the gap in the fascia lata through which the great saphenous vein dives to the femoral vein. It usually opens into the great saphenous vein close to that junction, or into an accessory saphenous vein that joins it there. It belongs to a small cluster of tributaries entering at this point, alongside the superficial circumflex iliac vein, all of which surgeons must find and tie at the groin.

Above, the vein communicates with the thoracoepigastric vein, which climbs the side of the trunk to the lateral thoracic vein and so to the axillary vein. Through the umbilical region it also connects with the paraumbilical veins. These links join the drainage of the lower limb and the upper limb, and they make a bridge between the inferior and superior caval systems.

That bridge becomes important when one of the great veins is blocked. In obstruction of the inferior vena cava, blood can bypass the block through the superficial epigastric and thoracoepigastric veins, which then swell and become visible on the abdominal wall. In portal hypertension, raised pressure in the paraumbilical veins can distend the veins around the umbilicus. When the great saphenous vein is treated for varicose veins, the superficial epigastric tributary is usually tied as well.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Begins in the superficial tissues of the lower anterior abdominal wall, below the umbilicus.

Drains into

Ends near the saphenous opening in the great saphenous vein or in an accessory saphenous vein joining it.

Drains

Drains the skin and superficial fascia of the lower abdominal wall and links the femoral and axillary venous territories.