Groin (Inguinal) region Flashcards
What forms the inguinal ligament?
lower edge of external oblique aponeurosis
From where to where does the inguinal ligament run?
extends from ASIS to pubic tubercle
What is important about the lacunar ligament?
most medial fibers of the inguinal ligament which inserted into superior pubic ramus
What is important about the pectineal ligament?
lateral extension of the lacunar ligament along the pecten pubis (pectineal line)
What is the inguinal canal?
oblique passage 3 to 5 cm in length through anterior abdominal wall
Where does the inguinal canal begin?
deep inguinal ring
Where does the inguinal canal end?
superficial inguinal ring
Where does the deep inguinal ring lie?
lateral and internal in anterior abdominal wall
Where does the superficial inguinal ring lie?
medial and external in anterior abdominal wall
The inguinal canal is much larger in males or females?
males
The inguinal canal transmits what?
spermatic cord (in males) round ligament of uterus (in females) ilioinguinal nerve (in both sexes)
The conjoint tendon does what?
strengthens posterior wall of medial half of inguinal canal
How is the conjoint tendon formed?
fusion of the aponeuroses of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles as they insert into pubic crest and pecten pubis
Anterior wall of inguinal canal formed by?
aponeurosis of external oblique muscle
What does the external oblique function in?
closing canal when contracts, stopping hernias
Posterior wall of inguinal canal formed by?
conjoint tendon and transversalis fascia
Roof of inguinal canal formed by?
arching fibers of internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles
Floor of inguinal canal formed by?
inguinal and lacunar ligament
What is the superficial inguinal ring?
triangular opening in the external oblique aponeurosis
What does the superficial inguinal ring do?
transmits spermatic cord, round ligament of uterus, ilioinguinal nerve
What forms the superficial inguinal ring?
formed by splitting of external oblique aponeurosis into two crura
What are the two crura of superficial inguinal ring?
lateral and medial crus
Lateral crus inserts into?
pubic tubercle
Medial crus inserts into?
pubic crest
What does the intercrural fibers do?
strengthen apex of the superficial inguinal ring
Where is the deep inguinal ring located?
opening within transversalis fascia, above inguinal ligament midway between ASIS and pubic symphysis
Inguinal triangle is bounded by what?
medially by lateral edge of rectus abdominis
laterally by inferior epigastric vessel
inferiorly by inguinal ligament
What occurs most often in inguinal triangle?
inguinal hernias because of weakness in abdominal wall
Is the inguinal canal present before birth?
yes but shorter and less oblique than adults
At birth how do the rings line up?
superficial inguinal ring directly anterior to deep inguinal ring
At adulthood how do rings line up?
superficial ring is oblique from deep inguinal ring
Contraction of muscles of anterior abdominal wall during coughing and straining does what?
elevates intra-abdominal pressure, potentially forcing abdominal contents into canal
What two adaptations function in strengthening inguinal canal?
inguinal canal is oblique in adults and conjoint tendon reinforces posterior wall
What is the labia majora filled with?
fat (scrotum like)
What is the processus vaginalis?
embryological outpouching of peritoneum which forms the inguinal canal and tunica vaginalis of scrotum
What happens when the processus vaginalis doesn’t terminate?
leaves sizeable passageway for intestines to pass into scrotum
