Superficial epigastric artery

Superficial epigastric artery is a blood vessel that supplies the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the lower part of the abdomen. It is a branch of the femoral artery, which is the main artery of the lower limb.

Etymology

The term "superficial epigastric artery" is derived from the Latin words "superficialis" meaning "on the surface", "epigastricus" meaning "above the stomach", and "arteria" meaning "windpipe, artery".

Anatomy

The superficial epigastric artery arises from the femoral artery just below the inguinal ligament, a band of connective tissue that runs from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It ascends obliquely upward, passing through the fascia lata, a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles of the thigh and hip, and the cribriform fascia, a thin layer of connective tissue in the upper thigh.

The artery then pierces the fascia lata and cribriform fascia to reach the subcutaneous tissues of the lower part of the abdomen. Here, it anastomoses, or connects, with the inferior epigastric artery, a branch of the external iliac artery, and the superficial circumflex iliac artery, another branch of the femoral artery.

Clinical significance

The superficial epigastric artery is of clinical significance in several surgical procedures, including hernia repair and flap surgery. It is also important in the diagnosis and treatment of certain vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and aneurysm.

Related terms

• Femoral artery
• Inguinal ligament
• Fascia lata
• Cribriform fascia
• Inferior epigastric artery
• External iliac artery
• Superficial circumflex iliac artery
• Hernia repair
• Flap surgery
• Atherosclerosis
• Aneurysm

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