Inguinal canal

Question 1

when is the inguinal canal formed and what is it formed from?

Answer 1

during the relocation of the gonads during foetal development
formed from layers of the anterior abdominal wall muscles as these layers push through the wall obliquely thus forming a canal

Question 2

where is the inguinal canal located?

Answer 2

parallel to and superior to the medial half of the inguinal ligament

Question 3

where do the epigastric arteries lie in relation to the deep inguinal ring?

Answer 3

laterally

Question 4

what is the inferior epigastric artery a branch of?

Answer 4

the external iliac artery

Question 5

what is the superior epigastric artery a branch of?

Answer 5

the internal thoracic artery

Question 6

what are the contents of the inguinal canal in males?

Answer 6

spermatic cord
illioinguinal nerve
genitofemoral nerve

Question 7

what are the contents of the inguinal canal?

Answer 7

round ligament (of the uterus)
genitofemoral nerve
illioinguinal nerve

Question 8

what is the difference between direct and indirect hernias?

Answer 8

direct = abdominal contents don't pass through the deep inguinal ring but pass through week spot in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, and can pass through the superficial inguinal ring
indirect = congenital weakness of deep inguinal ring allowing abdominal contents to enter the inguinal canal lateral to the epigastric arteries and can pass through the deep inguinal ring

Question 9

what type of hernia occurs below the inguinal ligament?

Answer 9

femoral hernia

Question 10

how do umbilical hernias occur?

Answer 10

when abdominal contents pass through a weakness at the site of passage of the umbilical cord through the abdominal wall.
abnormal fibres of linea alba may contribute.