Superior epigastric artery

Superior epigastric artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the anterior part of the abdominal wall and some of the diaphragm. It is a terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "epigastric" refers to the area above the stomach, from the Greek words "epi" (upon) and "gaster" (stomach). The term "superior" is used to indicate that this artery is located above the inferior epigastric artery.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The superior epigastric artery originates from the internal thoracic artery, descends behind the rectus abdominis muscle, and anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery. It travels within the rectus sheath, a fibrous layer of connective tissue that envelops the rectus abdominis muscle.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

The superior epigastric artery is an important landmark in several surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and abdominoplasty. In CABG, the artery can be used as a graft to bypass a blocked coronary artery. In abdominoplasty, care must be taken to avoid damaging the artery.

Related terms[edit | edit source]

Inferior epigastric artery: The artery that anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery at the lower part of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Internal thoracic artery: The artery that gives rise to the superior epigastric artery.
Rectus abdominis muscle: The muscle behind which the superior epigastric artery descends.
Rectus sheath: The fibrous layer of connective tissue that envelops the rectus abdominis muscle and contains the superior epigastric artery.

Superior epigastric artery Resources
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