Deep circumflex iliac artery

The deep circumflex iliac artery (Latin: arteria circumflexa ilium profunda) is a blood vessel of the pelvis that arises from the external iliac artery. It supplies the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall, also poviding branches to the iliacus muscle.

The deep circumflex iliac artery passes upwards and laterally along the lateral wall of the abdominal cavity to the anterior superior iliac spine (of the ilium) just behind the inguinal ligament. At the level of the anterior superior iliac spine, the artery gives off a large ascending branch that passes between two lateral abdominal muscles, the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles.

With its ascending branch, the deep circumflex iliac artery supplies the mentioned abdominal muscles. It also forms anastomoses with the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and with the iliolumbar, superior gluteal, inferior epigastric and lumbar arteries.