Inguinal canal and scrotum Flashcards
how long is the inguinal canal in adults
4cm
why is the inguinal canal particularly important in males
allows the testes to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum
what nerve is carried in the inguinal canal
ilioinguinal nerve
what is carried in the inguinal canal in females
round ligament of uterus
the inguinal canal carries the round ligament of the uterus in females from the pelvis to the
labia majora
function of the inguinal canal
allows the passage of structures from abdominal cavity into inguinal region and from there towards the perineum
describe the course of the ilioinguinal nerve in the inguinal canal
travels through part of the canal and exits via the superficial ring
what forms the anterior wall of the inguinal canal
aponeurosis of external oblique
what is the superficial inguinal ring
defect in the aponeurosis of external oblique forming an opening in the inguinal canal
what shape is the inguinal ring and why
triangular
due to the shape of the strong sides of the opening - crura
what fascia arises from the edges (crura) of the superficial inguinal ring
external spermatic fascia of the spermatic cord that passes to the testes arises from the edges of the superficial ring
base of the superficial inguinal ring formed by the
pubic crest
what 2 parts of the inguinal canal does the external oblique form
anterior wall of canal
inguinal ligament in floor of canal
why is the inguinal canal easier to see in males
follow spermatic cord from scrotum to abdominal wall and point it disappears it is passing through the superficial ring
why is the superficial inguinal ring harder to see in females
round ligament of the uterus is fibrous and may blend with wall of the canal
where does the ilioinguinal nerve enter the inguinal canal
pierces the posterior wall then travels along to exit at superficial ring
what is the name of the internal entrance of the inguinal canal
deep inguinal ring
what is the deep inguinal ring
oval opening in the transversalis fascia that forms the posterior wall of the canal
the deep inguinal ring lies more ____ than the superficial ring creating an _____ passage
deep inguinal ring lies more lateral than the superficial ring, creating an oblique passage through the wall
what is the advantage of an oblique passage through the wall
makes it more difficult for structures to push through the wall (herniate)
where is the deep inguinal ring found
half way between the ASIS and the pubic symphysis
1.3cm above the inguinal ligament
what fascia is formed from the edges of the deep inguinal ring
internal fascia of the spermatic cord
what does the deep inguinal ring give rise to in females
round ligament
describe the path of the inferior epigastric vessels in relation to the deep inguinal ring
inferior epigastric vessels that run directly inferior to rectus abdominis, pass to the medial side of the deep ring
what structures pass through the deep inguinal ring in males
contents of the spermatic cord - vas deferens, genital branch of genitofemoral nerve, testicular artery and testicular vein
what structures pass through the deep inguinal ring in females
round ligament of the uterus
genital branch of genitofemoral nerve
what forms the anterior wall of the inguinal canal
aponeurosis of external oblique
how does external oblique form the anterior wall of the inguinal canal
it passes down the abdominal wall towards the pelvis then rolls over on itself to attach to the ASIS and the pubic tubercle
how is the inguinal ligament formed
the aponeurosis of the external oblique that attaches between the ASIS and the pubic tubercle thickens
what forms the floor of the inguinal canal
inferior rolled edge of external oblique aponeurosis (inguinal ligament)
medially the lacunar ligament
what forms the roof of the inguinal canal
fibres of internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles
how does the internal oblique contribute to the inguinal canal
supports the lateral part of the anterior wall and also forms roof of canal with transversus abdominis
why is the lateral part of the anterior wall supported
corresponds to where the deep inguinal ring lies in the posterior wall of the canal
what forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal
mainly transversalis fascia - some support from the conjoint tendon at the medial end of the canal
the conjoint tendon supports an area that corresponds to what
weak area of superficial ring in anterior wall
how is the conjoint tendon formed
common insertion of internal oblique and transversus abdominis to pubic crest and pectineal line
where does the lacunar ligament travel from the medial end of the inguinal ligament
extends superiorly and posteriorly to the pectineal line
what is the pectineal line
superior ramus of pubis
free edge of the lacunar ligament forms what
medial margin of the femoral ring
the lacunar ligament supports the medial edge of the
femoral ring
what is the femoral ring
where the femoral vessels pass into the lower limb
where does the lacunar ligament join
the thick periosteum of the pectineal line (pectineal ligament)
how is herniation through the inguinal canal prevented
the inguinal rings are offset from eachother instead of directly aligned creating an oblique canal that is more difficult for structures to pass through
where is the wall of the inguinal canal strengthened
anterior wall directly anterior to deep ring
posterior wall directly posterior to superficial ring
what happens to the canal in situations of increased abdominal pressure e.g. coughing
abdominal wall muscles contract - internal oblique and transversus abdominis contract and flatten canal
how is the inguinal canal protected during child birth or defecation
natural squatting position with hips flexed - thighs up onto abdominal wall to protect it
what is a hernia
protrusion of tissue from one area to another
75% of abdominal hernias are ___
inguinal
what often herniates in the inguinal region
loops of intestine
what is a complication of intestinal herniation
loops can become compressed or twisted (torsion) leading to a loss of blood supply and necrosis