ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the anatomy of inferior epigastric artery and its correlation with rectus abdominis muscle in order to provide anatomical basis for reconstruction of defect in the oral and maxillofacial region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 Chinese adult specimens fixed by 10% formalin were simulated for the design of inferior rectus abdominis flap, and then observing, taking a photograph during the cadavers were being operated and measuring by image analysis software in the end.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The original external diameters of inferior epigastric artery and length of its trunk were (2.58 +/- 0.60) mm and (85.87 +/- 14.90) mm respectively. Its perforators distribute intensively toward hilum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Whether rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap adapts to reconstruct the defect of oral and maxillofacial region due to invariable traveling of inferior epigastric artery and its wide original external diameters relatively.</p>