In human anatomy

Human anatomy

Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...

, superior epigastric artery refers to a blood vessel

Blood vessel

The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...

 that carries oxygenated blood

Blood

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....

 and arises from the internal thoracic artery

Internal thoracic artery

In human anatomy, the internal thoracic artery , previously known as the internal mammary artery , is an artery that supplies the anterior chest wall and the breasts...

 (referred to as the internal mammary artery in the accompanying diagram). It anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery

Inferior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...

 at the umbilicus

Navel

The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...

 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

Superior epigastric vein

In human anatomy, superior epigastric vein refers to a blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood and drains into the internal thoracic vein. It anastomoses with the inferior epigastric vein at the level of the umbilicus and drains the anterior part of the abdominal wall and some of the...

.

Collateralization in vascular disease and aortic coarctation

The superior epigastric arteries, inferior epigastric arteries

Inferior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...

, internal thoracic arteries

Internal thoracic artery

In human anatomy, the internal thoracic artery , previously known as the internal mammary artery , is an artery that supplies the anterior chest wall and the breasts...

 and left subclavian artery

Subclavian artery

In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are two major arteries of the upper thorax , below the clavicle . They receive blood from the top of the aorta...

/brachiocephalic

Brachiocephalic artery

The brachiocephalic artery is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm and the head and neck....

 and right subclavian artery are collateral vessels to the thoracic aorta

Thoracic aorta

The thoracic aorta is contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity.It begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch, and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it...

 and abdominal aorta

Abdominal aorta

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta .-Path:...

.

If the abdominal aorta develops a significant stenosis

Stenosis

A stenosis is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure.It is also sometimes called a stricture ....

 and/or blockage (as may be caused by atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...

), this collateral pathway may develop sufficiently, over time, to supply blood to the lower limb

Lower limb

The lower limb is a limb of the body.According to Terminologia Anatomica, it includes the pelvic girdle, buttocks, hip, and thigh, as well as the components distal to the knee.-References:...

s.

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

External links

- "Thoracic wall

Thoracic wall

The thoracic wall is the boundary of the thoracic cavity.The bony portion is known as the thoracic cage. However, the wall also includes muscle, skin, and fascia....

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