Inferior epigastric artery

Inferior epigastric artery
Right inferior epigastric artery - view from inside of abdomen. (Inferior epigastric vessels labeled at upper left.)
The abdominal inguinal ring. (Inf. epigastric artery labeled at center left.)
Details
SourceExternal iliac artery
BranchesCremasteric artery, pubic branch of inferior epigastric artery, artery of round ligament of uterus
VeinInferior epigastric vein
Identifiers
Latinarteria epigastrica inferior
TA98A12.2.16.003
TA24358
FMA20686
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the inferior epigastric artery is an artery that arises from the external iliac artery.[1]: 225  It is accompanied by the inferior epigastric vein; inferiorly, these two inferior epigastric vessels together travel within the lateral umbilical fold (which represents the lateral border of Hesselbach's triangle, the area through which direct inguinal hernias protrude.[2]) The inferior epigastric artery then traverses the arcuate line of rectus sheath to enter the rectus sheath,[1]: 234  then anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery within the rectus sheath.[1]: 225 

  1. ^ a b c Sinnatamby C (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  2. ^ Wu WT, Chang KV, Lin CP, Yeh CC, Özçakar L (July 2022). "Ultrasound imaging for inguinal hernia: a pictorial review". Ultrasonography. 41 (3): 610–623. doi:10.14366/usg.21192. PMC 9262670. PMID 35569836.