Inguinal Ligament and Canal Flashcards
What is the inginal ligament?
What is the inguinal canal?
An oblique tunnel that extends downwards and medially through the anterior abdominal wall. It has 2 openings:
•Deep inguinal ring: Entrance to canal. Superficial inguinal ring: Exit of canal
In males, it allows spermatic cord to pass to and from testis. In females it allows passage of round ligament of uterus to labia majora.
Label
Describe gonadal development
- Gonads (testis/ovary) originally develop close to the posterior abdominal wall.
- Testis travel into scrotum, by traversing abdominal wall. Ovaries descend into pelvis.
The gubernaculum develops at 7 weeks gestation. It’s a cord like structure of mesenchymal tissue which helps descent of the testis/ovaries.
What is the process vaginalis?
- Develops during 2-3rd months gestation. It is a tubular extension of peritoneal cavity.
- Herniates through abdominal wall along path formed by gubernaculum.
- Extensions of layers of abdominal wall accompany PV and form walls of inguinal canal, spermatic cord and testes.
- Process vaginalis obliterates and closes downwards. In males, the scrotal part of PV remains open and this is called the Tunica vaginialis.
What are the layers of the testes?
What are the inginual rings?
Superficial Inguinal Ring
- Terminal end of inguinal canal.
- Triangular opening in aponeurosis of external oblique.
- 2 – 3 cm superior and lateral to pubic tubercle.
Deep Inguinal Ring
- •Opening of inguinal canal.
- Evagination in the transversalis fascia produced by process vaginalis.
- •Located lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels.
Label the contents of the inguinal canal
Label the inguinal canal
Round ligament of uterus
Attaches to uterus, transverses inguinal canal and spreads out in labia majora
What are inguinal hernias?
An inguinal hernia usually happens when the gut or omentum pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal. It looks like a lump/swelling.
What are direct inguinal hernias?
Hernia passes directly through abdominal wall. The hernia is medial to inferior epigastric artery.
Less common, associated w ageing, due to weakness in abdominal wall
The hernia passes thru or around the inguinal canal, exits via superficial inguinal ring, lateral to spermatic cord
What are indirect inguinal hernias?
Indirect (congenital) passes thru length of inguinal canal. Hernia is lateral to inferior epigastric artery.
More common, occurs when the process vaginalis doesn’t close properly
Exits vis superficial inguinal ring and can pass into scrotum/ labium majus
