Superior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, the superior epigastric artery is a terminal[1] branch of the internal thoracic artery that provides arterial supply to the abdominal wall, and upper rectus abdominis muscle. It enters the rectus sheath to descend upon the inner surface of the rectus abdominis muscle. It ends by anastomosing with the inferior epigastric artery.

Superior epigastric artery
Superior epigastric artery, internal thoracic artery and inferior epigastric artery. (Superior epigastric artery is labeled at right center.)
Details
Sourceinternal thoracic
Veinsuperior epigastric vein
Identifiers
Latinarteria epigastrica superior
TA98A12.2.08.041
TA24588
FMA10646
Anatomical terminology

Structure

Origin

The superior epigastric artery arises from the internal thoracic artery (referred to as the internal mammary artery in the accompanying diagram).[2][3]

Course and relations

The superior epigastric artery pierces the diaphragm[1] to enter the rectus sheath and descend upon the deep surface of the rectus abdominis.[4]

Along its course, it is accompanied by a similarly named vein, the superior epigastric vein.

Anastomoses

It anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery[4][2] within the rectus abdominis muscle[4][1] at the umbilicus.[2]

Distribution

Where it anastomoses, the superior epigastric artery supplies the anterior part of the abdominal wall,[5][6] upper rectus abdominis muscle,[5] and some of the diaphragm.

Collateralization in disease

Vascular disease

The superior epigastric arteries, inferior epigastric arteries, internal thoracic arteries and left subclavian artery and right subclavian artery / brachiocephalic are collateral vessels to the thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta. If the abdominal aorta develops a significant stenosis and/or blockage (as may be caused by atherosclerosis), this collateral pathway may develop sufficiently, over time, to supply blood to the lower limbs.[7]

Coarctation of the aorta

A congenitally narrowed aorta, due to coarctation, is often associated with a significant enlargement of the internal thoracic and epigastric arteries.[8]

See also

References
  1. Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  2. Castro Ferreira, Marcus; Henrique Ishida, Luis; Munhoz, Alexandre (January 1, 2009), Wei, Fu-Chan; Mardini, Samir (eds.), "CHAPTER 19 - Rectus flap", Flaps and Reconstructive Surgery, Edinburgh: W.B. Saunders, pp. 207–223, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7216-0519-7.00019-8, ISBN 978-0-7216-0519-7, retrieved November 22, 2020
  3. Ahmed, Abdul (January 1, 2017), Brennan, Peter A.; Schliephake, Henning; Ghali, G. E.; Cascarini, Luke (eds.), "37 - Common Free Vascularized Flaps: The Rectus Abdominis", Maxillofacial Surgery (Third Edition), Churchill Livingstone, pp. 533–542, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-6056-4.00038-1, ISBN 978-0-7020-6056-4, retrieved November 22, 2020
  4. The Big Picture: Gross Anatomy, Medical Course & Step 1 Review. David A. Morton, K. Bo Foreman, Kurt H. Albertine (2nd ed.). New York. 2018. ISBN 978-1-259-86264-9. OCLC 1044772257.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Shell, Dan H.; Vásconez, Luis O.; de la Torre, Jorge I.; Chin, Gloria; Weinzweig, Norman (January 1, 2010), Weinzweig, Jeffrey (ed.), "Chapter 91 - Abdominal Wall Reconstruction", Plastic Surgery Secrets Plus (Second Edition), Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 594–604, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-03470-8.00091-0, ISBN 978-0-323-03470-8, retrieved November 22, 2020
  6. DiEdwardo, Christine A.; Caterson, Stephanie A.; Barrall, David T. (January 1, 2010), Weinzweig, Jeffrey (ed.), "Chapter 80 - Abdominoplasty", Plastic Surgery Secrets Plus (Second Edition), Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 532–537, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-03470-8.00080-6, ISBN 978-0-323-03470-8, retrieved November 22, 2020
  7. Yurdakul M, Tola M, Ozdemir E, Bayazit M, Cumhur T (April 2006). "Internal thoracic artery-inferior epigastric artery as a collateral pathway in aortoiliac occlusive disease". J. Vasc. Surg. 43 (4): 707–13. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2005.12.042. PMID 16616225.
  8. Huhmann W, Kunitsch G, Dalichau H (1976). "[Coarctation of the aorta on the plain chest x-ray (author's transl)]". Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 101 (41): 1477–81. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1104294. PMID 964150. S2CID 260093972.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.