C1:S3 - Inguinal Canal Flashcards
When is the inguinal formed?
During relocation of gonads during foetal development
What forms the inguinal canal?
Layers of the anterior abdominal wall pushing through obliquely to form the canal
How long is the inguinal canal?
Approx 4cm long
What does the inguinal canal lie parallel to and above?
Parallel to and above the medial half of the inguinal ligament
What two points is the inguinal ligament attached to?
Superolaterally - ASIS Inferiomedially - Pubic Tubercle
What forms the anterior wall of the inguinal canal?
Aponeurosis of the internal/external oblique
What forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?
Transversalis fascia
What forms the roof of the inguinal canal?
Transversalis fascia Internal oblique Transversus abdominis
What forms the floor of the inguinal canal?
Inguinal ligament
MALT
M = Muscles (roof) A = Aponeurosis (anterior) L = Ligament (floor) T = Transversalis (posterior)
What is the relationship between the deep inguinal ring and inferior epigastric vessels?
Sit lateral and cross over each other
What are the inferior epigastric vessels branches of superiorly?
Internal thoracic artery
What are the inferior epigastric vessels branches of inferiorly?
External Iliac artery
What does the superficial ring lie in relation to the pubic tubercle?
Superolateral
What are the contents of the male inguinal canal?
Ilioinguinal nerve (L1) Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve Spermatochord Testicular Artery
What are the contents of the female inguinal canal?
Ilioinguinal nerve (L1) Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve Round ligament Blood and lymph vessels
What are the two ways of classifying inguinal hernias?
Direct Indirect
What hernia is this and how can you tell?
Direct Hernia
- Abdominal contents not in the deep inguinal ring
- They simply push through a weak spot in the muscles that make up the wall of the inguinal canal
- Contents can pass through the external ring
What hernia is this and how can you tell?
Indirect
- Congenital weakness in the deep inguinal ring
- Abdo contents in the canal lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
- Occasionally the abdo contents can also enter through the deep ring into the scrotum
What are femoral hernias?
Occur below inguinal ligament Abdo contents pass into the femoral canal through weekend posterior wall Risk of strangulation is high
What is an umbilical hernia?
Occur at weakness at site of the passage of the umbilical cord through abdominal wall Acquired rather than congenital Abnormal fibres at lineament alba may contribute to weakness of wall
