medical Definition of epigastric artery
: any of the three arteries supplying the anterior walls of the abdomen:
a
: one that is a direct downward continuation of the internal mammary artery — called also
superior epigastric artery
b
: one that arises from the external iliac artery near the inguinal ligament and ascends along the inner margin of the internal abdominal ring — called also
deep epigastric artery, inferior epigastric artery
c
: one that arises from the femoral artery, passes through the saphenous opening in the fascia lata, and then ascends upon the lower part of the abdomen — called also
superficial epigastric artery
