Inferior epigastric arteries

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.

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

• inguinal hernia
• femoral hernia
• corona mortis
• deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction

Siehe auch:

• Arteria epigastrica superficialis
• deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP)
• Vena epigastrica inferior

und weiter:

• Arteria femoralis communis
• DIEP-flap