Superficial circumflex iliac artery

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, runs lateralward, parallel with the inguinal ligament, as far as the crest of the ilium.

Superficial circumflex iliac artery
Scheme of the femoral artery. (Superficial circumflex iliac labeled at upper right.)
Details
Source	Femoral artery
Identifiers
Latin	Arteria circumflexa iliaca superficialis
TA98	A12.2.16.012
TA2	4676
FMA	20737
Anatomical terminology

It divides into branches which supply the integument of the groin, the superficial fascia, and the superficial subinguinal lymph glands, 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 [1,2].

Additional images

• 
  The subcutaneous inguinal ring.
• 
  The great saphenous vein and its tributaries at the fossa ovalis.
• 
  The great saphenous vein and its tributaries.
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  The femoral vein and its tributaries.
• 
  Superficial circumflex iliac artery (NOTE: this diagram is mislabelled. The "superficial circumflex iliac artery" should be swapped with the "superficial epigastric artery). As the circumflex iliac heads laterally towards the ASIS.
• 
  Anterior abdominal wall.Superficial dissection.Anterior view.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. Acland RD. The free iliac flap: a lateral modification of the free groin flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1979;64:30.

2. Mathes SJ, Nahai F, eds. Reconstructive Surgery: Principles, Anatomy, and Technique. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 1997;2:1005.

External links

• antthigh at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (femoralart)