In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the

artery An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pu ...

that arises from the

external iliac artery The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis. Structure The external iliac artery arises from the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. Th ...

. It

anastomoses An anastomosis (, plural anastomoses) is a connection or opening between two things (especially cavities or passages) that are normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams. Such a connection may be norm ...

with the superior epigastric artery. Along its course, it is accompanied by a similarly named vein, the inferior epigastric vein. These epigastric vessels form the lateral border of Hesselbach's triangle, which outlines the area through which direct inguinal hernias protrude.

Structure

Origin

The inferior epigastric artery arises from the

, immediately superior to the inguinal ligament.

Course and relations

It curves forward in the subperitoneal tissue, and then ascends obliquely along the medial margin of the abdominal inguinal ring; continuing its course upward, it pierces the

transversalis fascia The transversalis fascia (or transverse fascia) is a thin aponeurotic membrane of the abdomen. It lies between the inner surface of the transverse abdominal muscle and the parietal peritoneum. It forms part of the general layer of fascia lining ...

, and, passing in front of the linea semicircularis, ascends between the

rectus abdominis muscle The rectus abdominis muscle, ( la, straight abdominal) also known as the "abdominal muscle" or simply the "abs", is a paired straight muscle. It is a paired muscle, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba. It ex ...

and the posterior lamella of its sheath. It finally divides into numerous branches, which anastomose, above the umbilicus, with the superior epigastric branch of the internal thoracic artery and with the lower intercostal arteries. As the inferior epigastric artery passes obliquely upward from its origin it lies along the lower and medial margins of the abdominal inguinal ring, and behind the commencement of the

spermatic cord The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an exten ...

. The

vas deferens The vas deferens or ductus deferens is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates. The ducts transport sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in anticipation of ejaculation. The vas deferens is a partially coiled tube ...

, as it leaves the

in the male, and the round ligament of the

uterus The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...

in the female, winds around the lateral and posterior aspects of the artery.

Anastomoses

with the superior epigastric artery.

Clinical significance

Hernia

The inferior epigastric artery may lie close to an inguinal hernia, so acts as a useful landmark.

Surgery

The inferior epigastric artery may be damaged during

laparoscopic surgery Laparoscopy () is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. The laparoscope aids diagnosis or therapeutic interventions with a few small cuts in the abdomen.Medli ...

. It may also be damaged when manually finding the

peritoneum The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of meso ...

beneath the

Additional images

File:Gray398.png, The interfoveolar ligament, seen from in front. File:Gray522.png, The internal mammary artery and its branches. File:Gray539.png, The arteries of the pelvis. File:Gray586.png, The iliac veins. File:Gray829.png, Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. File:Gray1036.png, Posterior view of the anterior abdominal wall in its lower half. The peritoneum is in place, and the various cords are shining through. File:Gray1227.png, Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal. File:Thigh arteries schema.svg, Schema of the arteries arising from the external iliac and femoral arteries.

References

External links

* - "Incisions and the contents of the rectus sheath." * - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Blood Vessels in the

Rectus sheath The rectus sheath, also called the rectus fascia,. is formed by the aponeuroses of the transverse abdominal and the internal and external oblique muscles. It contains the rectus abdominis and pyramidalis muscles. Structure The rectus sheat ...

" * * * * * {{Authority control Arteries of the abdomen