UNION OF THE UMBILICAL ARTERIES IN THE ANTERIOR WALL OF THE ABDOMEN AND ITS CLINICAL AND SURGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CASE REPORT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: The umbilical artery is the first branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery, giving rise to the superior vesical artery and continuing anteriorly, leaving the pelvic cavity and ascending on the internal surface of the anterior abdominal wall to the navel. This article aims to provide an anatomical description of the union of the umbilical arteries in the anterior abdominal wall of a cadaver, aiming to add to the body of literature a better understanding of the anatomical aspects of the structures in this region. Case report: During a routine analysis of an anatomical examination at the Anatomy Laboratory of the Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, it was observed the presence of an anatomical variation of the umbilical arteries in a female cadaveric piece, where the junction of the medial and median umbilical ligaments, forming a single ligament that reaches the lower edge of the Umbilical Ring (AU). Commonly, the umbilical artery is the first branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery, which originates the superior vesical artery and runs anteriorly, leaving the pelvic cavity and ascending on the internal surface of the anterior abdominal wall to the navel, differently from what occurs in this case, where an obliteration occurs in the anterior region of the AU. Conclusion: Knowledge of anatomical variations, specifically of the umbilical arteries, is essential to prevent and avoid clinical and surgical complications and possible postoperative complications, due to the various implications inherent to the umbilical region.