Expansion
Superior and inferior epigastric arteries meet within the rectus sheath
Expansion
Deep supply
- Superior epigastric artery - from the internal thoracic, entering the rectus sheath from above
- Inferior epigastric artery - from the external iliac, entering below and running up behind rectus abdominis
- Deep circumflex iliac artery - from the external iliac
- Lower posterior intercostal, subcostal and lumbar arteries - laterally
Superficial supply
- Superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac and superficial external pudendal arteries, from the femoral artery
The epigastric arteries anastomose within the rectus sheath, creating a thoracoabdominal collateral pathway that enlarges in aortic coarctation and after aortic occlusion.
Superficially, the periumbilical veins connect to the portal system through the paraumbilical veins, the route that produces caput medusae in portal hypertension.