Inguinal canal Flashcards
what is the inguinal canal?
a short passage that extends inferiorly and medially, through the inferior part of the abdominal wall
where is the inguinal canal in relation to the inguinal ligament?
superior and parallel to the inguinal ligament
what does the inguinal canal act as?
pathway by which structures can pass from the abdominal wall to the external genitalia
what is the clinical importance of the inguinal canal?
a potential weakness in the abdominal wall, and therefore a common site of herniation
what happens to the testes during development? where does it occur?
testes establish in the posterior abdominal wall, and descend into the scrotum
what guides the descend of the testes?
a fibrous cord of tissue called the gubernaculum attaches the inferior portion of the gonad to the future scrotum, and guides them during their descent
what is the significance of the inguinal canal in the development of the testes?
the pathway by which the testes are able to leave the abdominal cavity and enter the scrotum
what is the inguinal canal flanked by in the embryological stage? what is it called and it’s fate?
an outpocketing of the peritoneum, and the abdominal musculature
outpocketing called processus vaginalis (normally degenerates)
what happens if the processus vaginalis fail to degenerate?
result in indirect inguinal hernia
what is the function of the gubernaculum in women?
attaches the ovaries to the uterus and future labia majora
what are the ovaries attached to the uterus by?
gubernaculum
what does the attachment of ovaries to uterus by gubernaculum prevent?
prevented from descending as far as the testes, and instead moving into the pelvic cavity
in females, what does the gubernaculum then become?
the ovarian ligament, and round ligament of uterus
what is the mid-inguinal point?
halfway between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine
which structure is at the mid-inguinal point?
femoral artery crosses into the lower limb
what is the midpoint of the inguinal ligament?
halfway between ASIS and pubic tubercle (superior rami of pubis)
what is at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament?
femoral nerve