The superficial iliac circumflex artery (or superficial circumflex iliac), the smallest of the cutaneous branches of the femoral artery, arises close to the
superficial epigastric artery, and, piercing the
fascia lata
The fascia lata is the deep fascia of the thigh. It encloses the thigh muscles and forms the outer limit of the fascial compartments of thigh, which are internally separated by the medial intermuscular septum and the lateral intermuscular sept ...
, runs lateralward, parallel with the
inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament (), also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may ...
, as far as the crest of the
ilium.
It divides into branches which supply the integument of the
groin
In human anatomy, the groin, also known as the inguinal region or iliac region, is the junctional area between the torso and the thigh. The groin is at the front of the body on either side of the pubic tubercle, where the lower part of the abdom ...
, the superficial fascia, and the superficial subinguinal
lymph glands
A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system and complementary to the circulatory system. It con ...
, anastomosing with the
deep iliac circumflex, the
superior gluteal and
lateral femoral circumflex arteries.
In 45% to 50% of persons the superficial circumflex iliac artery and superficial inferior epigastric artery arise from a common trunk. In contrast, 40% to 45% of persons have a superficial circumflex iliac artery and superficial inferior epigastric artery that arise from separate origins.
[Mathes SJ, Nahai F, eds. Reconstructive Surgery: Principles, Anatomy, and Technique. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 1997;2:1005.]
Additional images
File:Gray393.png, The subcutaneous inguinal ring.
File:Gray580.png, The great saphenous vein and its tributaries at the fossa ovalis.
File:Gray581.png, The great saphenous vein and its tributaries.
File:Gray584.png, The femoral vein and its tributaries.
File:Slide2Thai.JPG, Anterior abdominal wall. Superficial dissection. Anterior view.
References
External links
* ()
Arteries of the lower limb
Arteries of the abdomen
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