noun
: one of three arteries supplying the anterior walls of the abdomen, (1) one being a direct downward continuation of the internal mammary, (2) another arising from the external iliac near Poupart's ligament and ascending along the inner margin of the internal abdominal ring, and (3) a third arising from the femoral, passing through the saphenous opening in the fascia lata, and then ascending upon the lower part of the abdomen — called also respectively (1) superior epigastric artery, (2) inferior epigastric artery or deep epigastric artery, and (3) superficial epigastric artery