Superior epigastric artery

Infobox Artery
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = arteria epigastrica superior
GraySubject = 148
GrayPage = 584


Caption = Superior epigastric artery, internal thoracic artery and inferior epigastric artery. (Superior epigastric artery is labeled at right center.)
BranchFrom = internal thoracic
BranchTo =
Vein = superior epigastric vein
Supplies =
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MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = a_61
DorlandsSuf = 12154236
In human anatomy, superior epigastric artery refers to a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood and arises from the internal thoracic artery (referred to as the internal mammary artery in the accompanying diagram). It anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery at the umbilicus and supplies the anterior part of the abdominal wall and some of the diaphragm.

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

Collateralization in vascular disease and aortic coarctation

The superior epigastric arteries, inferior epigastric arteries, internal thoracic arteries and left subclavian artery/brachiocephalic and right subclavian artery 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. [Yurdakul M, Tola M, Ozdemir E, Bayazit M, Cumhur T. Internal thoracic artery-inferior epigastric artery as a collateral pathway in aortoiliac occlusive disease. J Vasc Surg. 2006 Apr;43(4):707-13. PMID 16616225.]

A congenitally narrowed aorta, due to coarctation, is often associated with a significant enlargement of the internal thoracic and epigastric arteries. [cite journal | author = Huhmann W, Kunitsch G, Dalichau H | title = [Coarctation of the aorta on the plain chest x-ray (author's transl)] | journal = Dtsch Med Wochenschr | volume = 101 | issue = 41 | pages = 1477–81 | year = 1976 | pmid = 964150]

See also

*Terms for anatomical location

References

External links

*
* - "Thoracic wall: Branches of the Internal Thoracic Artery"
* - "Incisions and the contents of the rectus sheath. "
* - External iliac artery