groin (inguinal) region

Question 1

is formed by the lower edge of the external oblique aponeurosis; extends from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle

Answer 1

inguinal ligament

Question 2

what makes up the inguinal ligament

Answer 2

lacunar ligament and pectineal ligament

Question 3

the most medial fibers of the inguinal ligament which are inserted into the superior pubic ramus

Answer 3

lacunar ligament

Question 4

a lateral extension of the lacunar ligament along the pecten pubis (pectineal line)

Answer 4

pectineal ligament

Question 5

an oblique passageway 3 to 5 cm in length through the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 5

inguinal canal

Question 6

where does the inguinal canal begin

Answer 6

deep inguinal ring and ends at the superficial inguinal ring

Question 7

how to the deep and superficial inguinal rings lie in the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 7

deep - lateral and internal; superficial - medial and lateral

Question 8

how is the inguinal canal different in men than in women

Answer 8

larger

Question 9

what does the inguinal canal transmit

Answer 9

spermatic cord, round ligament of the uterus, ilioinguinal nerve

Question 10

what is the conjoint tendon formed by

Answer 10

the aponeurosis of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles as they insert into the pubic crest and pecten pubis

Question 11

what is the function of the conjoint tendon

Answer 11

strengthens the posterior wall of the medial half of the inguinal canal

Question 12

what are the boundaries of the inguinal canal

Answer 12

anterior wall (aponeurosis of the external oblique), posterior wall (conjoint tendon and transversalis fascia), roof (arching fibers of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis), floor (inguinal and lacunar ligaments)

Question 13

what is the superficial inguinal ring

Answer 13

a triangular opening in the external oblique aponeurosis; lies immediately lateral to the pubic tubercle

Question 14

what does the superficial inguinal ring transmit

Answer 14

spermatic cord, round ligament of the uterus, and the ilioinguinal nerve in both sexes

Question 15

how is the superficial inguinal ring formed

Answer 15

by the splitting of the external oblique aponeurosis into two crura

Question 16

where does the lateral crus insert; what do its fibers reflect

Answer 16

inserts into the pubic tubercle; fibers reflect to the superior pubic ramus as the lacunar ligament

Question 17

where does the medial crus insert

Answer 17

into the pubic crest

Question 18

what is the function of the intercrural fibers

Answer 18

strengthen the apex of the superficial inguinal ring

Question 19

what is the deep inguinal ring

Answer 19

an opening within the transversalis fascia

Question 20

where is the deep inguinal ring located

Answer 20

above the inguinal ligament midway between the ASIS and pubic symphysis; lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels

Question 21

what binds the inguinal triangle

Answer 21

medially - by the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis
laterally - by the inferior epigastric vessels
inferiorly - by the inguinal ligament

Question 22

what is significant about the inguinal triangle

Answer 22

it is an area of potential weakness in the anterior abdominal wall; direct inguinal hernias occur here

Question 23

compare/contrast the inguinal canal at birth and adulthood

Answer 23

at birth it is much shorter and less oblique than in the adult

Question 24

what happens during contraction of the anterior abdominal wall muscles

Answer 24

during coughing and straining, contraction elevates intra-abdominal pressure potentially forcing abdominal contents into the canal

Question 25

what two functions help to strengthen the inguinal canal

Answer 25

it is oblique - allows the canal to be compressed by the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall when they contract
the conjoint tendon - reinforces the posterior wall of the canal

Question 26

what is a hernia

Answer 26

an abnormal protrusion of tissue through an opening

Question 27

what happens in inguinal hernias

Answer 27

abdominal viscera (usually through the SI) protrude through the inguinal region

Question 28

where are inguinal hernias most common and why

Answer 28

in men; the large diameter of the inguinal canal for passage of the spermatic cord and the fact that the scrotum is an outpouching of the anterior abdominal wall (which creates a potential space for abdominal viscera to fill)

Question 29

what is homologous to a male’s scrotum

Answer 29

female’s labia majora

Question 30

what types of inguinal hernias are there

Answer 30

indirect and direct

Question 31

what type of hernia passes through the deep inguinal ring, inguinal canal, and superficial inguinal ring before entering the scrotum

Answer 31

indirect inguinal hernia