title: [Applied anatomy of the paraumbilical flap with the lateral anterior branch of the thoracic nerve].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide the anatomical basis for the free paraumbilical flap with sensory nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  The morphology, branch and distribution of the inferior epigastric artery and inferior intercostal nerve were dissected and measured in 20 adult cadaver specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diameter of inferior epigastric artery at the original point was (2.3 +/- 0.3) mm, and that of its accompanying vein was (3.6 +/- 0.4) mm. The anterial branch of inferior intercostal nerves transversed through their corresponding intercostal spaces of axilla anterior line and ran out of the superficial fascia at the midclavicular line. The lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerves ran out of superficial fascia in the range of 0-7 cm above umbilicus and innervated the paraumbilical flap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to design sensory paraumbilical flap with the lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerve.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Anatomical Institute, Plastic Department, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China 510515.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps