Session 24 - Inguinal Canal and Male External Genitalia

Question 1

The inguinal canal is a potential weakness in the anterior abdominal wall. What factors
normally prevent herniation of the abdominal contents through the inguinal canal?

Answer 1

• The criss-crossing orientation of the muscle fibres of the abdominal wall.
• The oblique orientation of the canal.

Question 2

Where would you palpate the ductus deferens? By palpation alone, how would you
identify the ductus deferens?

Answer 2

Lower testies runs to posterior surface then via the spermatic cord to superficial inguinal ring

It is easiest to palpate between the upper pole of the testis and the superficial
inguinal ring, and it feels firm but flexible.

Question 3

What is a varicocele?

Answer 3

Dilated veins in the pampinform venous plexus

Question 4

Some indirect inguinal hernias are congenital (meaning “present at birth”) even though
they may not appear until later in life. Explain the embryology of these hernias.

Answer 4

As the testis drop out of the abdominal wall to the scrotum
Takes pouch of peritoneum with it
This can sometimes not separate

Question 5

. Where would you try to palpate lymph nodes to assess the spread of testicular cancer?

Answer 5

Anywhere along the testicular artery

Question 6

Where might you look for an undescended testis? Is it worth surgically correcting this
anomaly?

Answer 6

Along the posterior abdominal wall and inguinal canal

Yes - need for spermatogenesis temp regulation

Question 7

Testicular pain may radiate to the lower abdomen and loin. Why?

Answer 7

Nociceptive pain fibres are sympathetic
T11-12
Pain felt in distribution

Question 8

Which nerves provide sensory innervation to the scrotal skin?

Answer 8

The anterior 1/3 of the scrotum is supplied by the ilioinguinal nerve (from L1).

The posterior 2/3 is supplied by the pudendal nerve (from S2, S3, S4).