[TA] origin, external iliac; branches, cremasteric, muscular and pubic; anastomoses, superior epigastric, obturator. With overlying peritoneum, forms lateral umbilical ligament and forms a basis for distinguishing types of inguinal herniae: direct hernias pass medial to the artery; indirect hernias pass laterally. SYN: arteria epigastrica inferior [TA], deep epigastric artery.