Abdomen: Inguinal Region Flashcards
Inguinal region
- Area between ASIS and pubic tubercle
- Structures enter/exit abdominal cavity to/from
lower extremity
Scrotum/labia majora
Clinical: site of inguinal hernias
Structures of inguinal region enter/exit abdominal cavity to/from
- Lower extremity
- Scrotum/labia majora
Clinical importance of inguinal region
- Site of inguinal hernias
Inguinal canal
- Oblique passageway through inferior abdominal wall
- Narrower in females
Inguinal canal is formed by
- Layers of abdominal wall
- Parallels inguinal ligament
Inguinal canal is the pathway for
- Structures to pass from abdomen to external genitalia
Inguinal canal in males transmits
- Spermatic cord with all of its content
- Ilioinguinal nerve (males and females)
- Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve (males and females)
Inguinal canal in females transmits
- Round ligament (females)
- Ilioinguinal nerve (males and females)
- Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve (males and females)
Inguinal canal is strengthened by
- Oblique orientation
- Abdominal wall muscle contraction
- Aponeuroses and fascias
Posterior boundary of inguinal canal
- Transversalis fascia
- Conjoint tendon (falx inguinalis)
Conjoint tendon (falx inguinalis)
- Combined aponeurosis of TA and IO
Conjoint tendon (falx inguinalis) inserts onto
- Pubic crest
- Pectineal line (pecten pubis)
Anterior boundary of inguinal canal
- EO aponeurosis & IO muscle
Roof of inguinal canal
- TA and IO
- Transversalis fascia
- Medial crus
Floor of inguinal canal
- Lateral crus
- Inguinal ligament
- Lacunar ligament
2 openings of inguinal canal
- Deep inguinal ring
- Superficial inguinal ring
Deep inguinal ring is created by
- Created by invagination of transversalis fascia
Deep inguinal ring is located
- Lateral to inferior epigastrics
- Above midpoint of inguinal ligament
Superficial inguinal ring
- Opening located ~ 1cm superolateral to pubic tubercle
Superficial inguinal ring is created by
- External oblique aponeurosis
Superficial inguinal ring is formed by
- Medial and lateral crura
- Intercrural fibers
Derivatives of EO aponeurosis
- Inguinal ligament (Pouparts ligament)
- Superficial inguinal ring
- Lacunar ligament (Gimbernat)
- Pectineal ligament (Cooper)
- Reflected inguinal ligament
Inguinal ligament (Pouparts ligament)
- Inferior reflection of EO aponeurosis
Inguinal ligament (Pouparts ligament) attaches to
- ASIS to pubic tubercle
Superficial inguinal ring is formed by
- Medial crus
- Lateral crus
Medial crus (of superficial inguinal ring) attaches to
- Pubic symphysis
Lateral crus (of superficial inguinal ring) attaches to
- Pubic tubercle
Lacunar ligament (Gimbernat) attaches to
- Superior pubic ramus
Pectineal ligament (Cooper) runs along
- Pectineal line of pubis (pecten pubis)
Testes develop in
- Upper lumbar region
Gubernaculum
- Fibrous cord
- Attaches testes/ovaries to anterolateral abdominal wall
Gubernaculum is involved in
- Gonadal descent
Gubernaculum degenerates, and remnant becomes
- Posterior scrotal ligament (M)
- Ovarian & round ligaments (F)
Process vaginalis
- Diverticulum of the peritoneum
Process vaginalis outpouches and
- Carries abdominal wall layers with it
Process vaginalis degenerates except for
- Distal portion (tunica vaginalis)
Testes descend into scrotum and become
- Ensheathed by abdominal wall layers
* Except for transversus abdominis*