**The epigastric artery** is a large artery that is located on the abdominal wall, between the midline and the anterior axillary line, under the skin of the chest and abdomen. It is a branch of the superficial temporal artery, which, in turn, is one of the three main superficial visceral arteries of the head and neck. This artery is the largest artery in this area of the body.
The superficial epigastric artery is an important artery in the abdomen and chest, and if it has an aneurysm, it can cause serious health problems. An arterial aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery that forms due to thinning or weakening of the arterial wall. If the aneurysm progresses, symptoms such as pain and swelling appear, which may be associated with other abnormal arteries.
Symptoms associated with a superficial epigastric aneurysm may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, abnormal heart function, or even anxiety. Before treatment is undertaken, a diagnostic test must be performed to determine where the aneurysm is spreading or located. Sometimes treatment for an aneurysm can be surgical or therapeutic.
It is also important to understand that the epigastric superficial arteries can be subject to trauma and bleeding when working on the areas where they pass, such as when giving injections, or as a result of cuts. Therefore, appropriate protective measures should be used when working with the epigastric surfaces.