Inguinal Canal and Scrotum Flashcards
What is the inguinal canal
Oblique passage through the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall (around 4cm long)
In males, what does the inguinal canal carry
Structure to/from the testis and abdomen, and the ilioinguinal nerve
In females, what does the inguinal canal carry
The round ligament of the uterus from the pelvis to the labia majora, and the ilioinguinal nerve
What is the superficial inguinal ring
A triangular-shaped defect in the aponeurosis of the external oblique
What is the deep inguinal ring
An oval opening in the transversalis fascia
Where is the deep inguinal ring located
Halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis
What does the deep inguinal ring give origin to
The internal spermatic (or round ligament) fascia
What vessels are located medially to the deep inguinal ring
The inferior epigastric vessels
What forms the floor of the inguinal canal
Inferior rolled edge of the external oblique aponeurosis (inguinal ligament)
What forms the roof of the inguinal canal
Fibres of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles
What forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal
The transversalis fascia plus the conjoint tendon
What is the conjoint tendon
Structure formed from the internal oblique and transversus abdominis as they enter the pubic crest and pectineal line
What forms the inguinal ligament
The folding back of the external oblique aponeurosis
Where does the lacunar ligament extend to from the inguinal ligament
Superiorly and posteriorly to the pectineal line (superior ramus pubis)
What does the lacunar ligament join to
The thick periosteum of the pectineal line (pectineal ligament)
What is a hernia, and name the 2 types
A protrusion of tissue; direct and indirect
What is a direct hernia caused by
Usually caused when the wall of the abdominal muscles becomes weak; allows a portion of the intestine to push through
What is an indirect hernia caused by
Occurs when the inguinal ring fails to close up during pregnancy
What is the spermatic cord
A collection of structures which pass along the male inguinal canal to/from the testis
What are the 3 coverings of the spermatic cord
- Internal spermatic fascia
- Cremaster muscle (fascia)
- External spermatic fascia
What nerve runs with the spermatic cord, or the round ligament of the uterus
The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
What are the 5 main contents of the spermatic cord
- Vas deferens
- Testicular artery
- Testicular vein
- Lymph vessels
- Autonomic nerves
What are the 3 additional structures found in the spermatic cord
- Artery of the vas deferens
- Genitofemoral nerve
- Cremasteric artery
What is the scrotum
Outpouching of skin from the abdominal wall
What does the scrotum contain
- Testes
- Epididymis
- Lower end of the spermatic cords
What is fat replaced with in the scrotum
Smooth muscle - Dartos
What is the function of the cremaster muscles
It raises the testes and scrotum for warmth and protection
What is the tunica vaginalis
Pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes
What path do the testes follow during the 7th/8th month of pregnancy
They follow the path of the gubernaculum through the inguinal canal (have the same coverings)
What is the epididymis
It is where sperm are stored, and it becomes the vas deferens
What connects the rete testis to the epididymis
Efferent ductules
What do the rete testis open into
Straight tubules which open into the seminal vesicle lobules
Where does lymph from the scrotal wall (and other superficial structures) drain to
The superficial inguinal nodes
Where does lymph from the testis and epididymis (and other internal structures) drain to
The para-aortic nodes
