groin (inguinal) region Flashcards
is formed by the lower edge of the external oblique aponeurosis; extends from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle
inguinal ligament
what makes up the inguinal ligament
lacunar ligament and pectineal ligament
the most medial fibers of the inguinal ligament which are inserted into the superior pubic ramus
lacunar ligament
a lateral extension of the lacunar ligament along the pecten pubis (pectineal line)
pectineal ligament
an oblique passageway 3 to 5 cm in length through the anterior abdominal wall
inguinal canal
where does the inguinal canal begin
deep inguinal ring and ends at the superficial inguinal ring
how to the deep and superficial inguinal rings lie in the anterior abdominal wall
deep - lateral and internal; superficial - medial and lateral
how is the inguinal canal different in men than in women
larger
what does the inguinal canal transmit
spermatic cord, round ligament of the uterus, ilioinguinal nerve
what is the conjoint tendon formed by
the aponeurosis of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles as they insert into the pubic crest and pecten pubis
what is the function of the conjoint tendon
strengthens the posterior wall of the medial half of the inguinal canal
what are the boundaries of the inguinal canal
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)
what is the superficial inguinal ring
a triangular opening in the external oblique aponeurosis; lies immediately lateral to the pubic tubercle
what does the superficial inguinal ring transmit
spermatic cord, round ligament of the uterus, and the ilioinguinal nerve in both sexes
how is the superficial inguinal ring formed
by the splitting of the external oblique aponeurosis into two crura
where does the lateral crus insert; what do its fibers reflect
inserts into the pubic tubercle; fibers reflect to the superior pubic ramus as the lacunar ligament
where does the medial crus insert
into the pubic crest
what is the function of the intercrural fibers
strengthen the apex of the superficial inguinal ring
what is the deep inguinal ring
an opening within the transversalis fascia
where is the deep inguinal ring located
above the inguinal ligament midway between the ASIS and pubic symphysis; lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
what binds the inguinal triangle
medially - by the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis
laterally - by the inferior epigastric vessels
inferiorly - by the inguinal ligament
what is significant about the inguinal triangle
it is an area of potential weakness in the anterior abdominal wall; direct inguinal hernias occur here
compare/contrast the inguinal canal at birth and adulthood
at birth it is much shorter and less oblique than in the adult
what happens during contraction of the anterior abdominal wall muscles
during coughing and straining, contraction elevates intra-abdominal pressure potentially forcing abdominal contents into the canal
what two functions help to strengthen the inguinal canal
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
what is a hernia
an abnormal protrusion of tissue through an opening
what happens in inguinal hernias
abdominal viscera (usually through the SI) protrude through the inguinal region
where are inguinal hernias most common and why
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)
what is homologous to a male’s scrotum
female’s labia majora
what types of inguinal hernias are there
indirect and direct
what type of hernia passes through the deep inguinal ring, inguinal canal, and superficial inguinal ring before entering the scrotum
indirect inguinal hernia
