Superior epigastric artery 3435590 215500422 2008-05-28T13:57:43Z DOI bot 6652755 Citation maintenance. You can [[WP:DOI|use this bot]] yourself! Please [[User:DOI_bot/bugs|report any bugs]]. {{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}}