Arterial supply of the Abdominal Wall

This section covers
1. Arterial supply of the muscles of the abdominal wall
2. Arterial supply of the abdominal surface (i.e. skin)

Arterial supply to the abdominal wall comes mainly from 4 arteries:
- These supply the abdominal wall either deep, superficially, or both

There are four lumbar arteries
Travel posterior to psoas/quadratus muscles and then enter the anterolateral wall between the IO and TA muscles
End near the rectus abdominis
Each artery also gives off a dorsal branch

Superior epigastric artery (from Internal Thoracic Artery)
- Terminal branch of the Internal Thoracic Artery
- Supplies diaphragm
- Anastomoses with inferior epigastric artery

Inferior epigastric artery (from distal external iliac)
- Rises superomedially deep to the transversalis fascia (i.e. behind rectus)
- However, it then enters the posterior rectus sheath to run behind the rectus (at the arcuate line)
- Anastomoses with the branches of the superficial epigastric via perforators through rectus abdominis
- Also anastomoses with superior epigastric artery
  Branching and path of the inferior epigastric artery. Created using Complete Anatomy by 34D Medical.
Superficial epigastric artery (from the femoral artery)
- Rises within the subcutaneous fascia
- Anastomoses with the branches of the inferior epigastric via perforators through rectus abdominis
- Also anastomoses with contralateral artery