Superior epigastric artery
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{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = arteria epigastrica superior |
GraySubject = 148 |
GrayPage = 584 |
Image = Gray522.png |
Caption = '''Superior epigastric artery''', [[internal thoracic artery]] and [[inferior epigastric artery]]. (Superior epigastric artery is labeled at right center.) |
BranchFrom = [[internal thoracic artery|internal thoracic]] |
BranchTo = |
Vein = [[superior epigastric vein]] |
Supplies = |
MeshName = |
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 (anatomy)|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 artery|inferior epigastric arteries]], [[internal thoracic artery|internal thoracic arteries]] and left [[subclavian artery]]/[[brachiocephalic]] and right subclavian artery are [[collateral vessel]]s 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 limb]]s.<ref>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.</ref>
A congenitally narrowed aorta, due to coarctation, is often associated with a significant enlargement of the internal thoracic and epigastric arteries.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
== See also ==
*[[Terms for anatomical location]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{GPnotebook|-2147090372}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|18|07|01|03}} - "[[Thoracic wall]]: Branches of the Internal Thoracic Artery"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|35|04|03}} - "Incisions and the contents of the rectus sheath. "
* {{GraySubject|156}} - External iliac artery
{{Arteries of chest}}
[[Category: Arteries]]
[[Category: Abdomen]]
{{circulatory-stub}}