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

The deep circumflex iliac artery forms anastomoses with the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, iliolumbar and superior gluteal arteries, inferior epigastric and lumbar arteries.

The deep circumflex artery supplies the muscles of the lateral wall of the abdominal cavity, and also the iliac muscle.