SUGER anatomy: inguinal canal Flashcards
what are the inguinal canals?
shape, how many, location
2 oblique (diagonal shape) passages on each side of midline
that travel through the lower anterior abdominal wall muscles,
above the inguinal ligament
what are the layers of abdomen the inguinal canal travels through? (5)
- transversalis fascia →
- transverses abdominus →
- inferior oblique →
- external oblique →
- external oblique aponeurosis
stops just before the midline (so does not travel through rectus abdominis)
what are the inguinal LIGAMENTS?
set of two bands (one on each side) that connect the oblique muscles of the abdomen to the pelvis, deep in the groin.
where does the inguinal canal start?
the deep inguinal/internal ring
- an invagination of transversalis fascia
- above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament.
- lateral to the epigastric vessels
where does the inguinal canal end?
Thesuperficial inguinal/external ring
- evagination of the external oblique aponeurosis
- just superior to the pubic tubercle
describe the direction the canal travels in, using anatomical terminology
- initially deep and lateral
- as it travels, gets more medial and inferior
- ends superficial and medial
how many openings does the inguinal canal have?
2
- deep inguinal ring
- superficial inguinal ring (triangular)
how many boundaries does the inguinal canal have?
4
- anterior wall
- posterior wall
- roof
- floor
what is the anterior wall of the inguinal canal?
aponeurosis of the external oblique
(most superficial layer it travels to)
laterally, part of internal obliques
what is the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?
transversalis fascia
initial opening, deepest part of Canal
what is the roof of the inguinal canal?
- the transversals fascia
- transverse abdominis
- internal oblique
what is the floor of the inguinal canal?
the inguinal ligament
what is an inguinal hernia?
when the abdominal contents protrude through the anterior abdominal wall via the inguinal canal
what are the contents of a female inguinal canal? (3)
- round ligament of the uterus
- ilioguinal nerve (partly)
- genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
what are the contents of a male inguinal canal?
the spermatic cord
holds all contents for male inguinal canal
FANO (fascia, arteries, nerves, other)
what is the pathway of the spermatic cord?
- starts as part of inguinal canal
- continues on once canal ends
- enters the scrotum
- ends at posterior border of the testes
where does the round ligament of the uterus start/end?
START - uterine horn
travels through female inguinal Canal
END - labia majora
what is the function of the round ligament of the uterus ?
- bands of connective tissue on either side of uterus
- for support to the uterus (womb)
what Is the function of the Ilioinguinal nerve?
sensory innervation of the genitalia (both male and female?
where is the Ilioinguinal nerve found?
- passes through both male and female inguinal canals
- only travels though it partially (only through superficial ring)
where is the Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve? found?
in both male and female inguinal canals
what is the function of the Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve?
MALES
- motor to cremaster muscle
- sensation to scrotal skin
FEMALES
- sensation to skin of mons pubis and labia majora
what are the 3 nerves that travel through the male inguinal canal?
which of these are also seen within the female inguinal canal?
SAME AS FEMALE:
1. Ilioinguinal nerve
- Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
UNIQUE TO MALE:
3. sympathetic nerve fibres
what are the 3 arteries that travel through the male inguinal canal/spermatic cord?
- testicular arteries (R&L)
- cremasteric artery
- vas (ductus) deferens artery
what are the 3 facial layers that travel through the male inguinal canal/spermatic cord?
- external spermatic fascia
- cremastic muscle and fascia
- internal spermatic fascia
where are the 3 facial layers in the male spermatic cord all derived from?
- external spermatic → EO aponeurosis
- cremastic → IO muscle
- internal spermatic → transversalis fascia
what are the 4 OTHER structures within the make inguinal canal/spermatic cord?
- pampiniform venous plexus
- lymphatics
- vas deferens
- processus vaginalis
what is the Pampiniform venous plexus ?
what is its function ?
- veins that drain blood from testes into testicular vein
- the veins are wrapped around the testicular a.
- purpose is to be a heat exchanger → cools the arterial blood before it reaches the testes
what is the processus vaginalis?
- projection of peritoneum
- forms the pathway of descent for the testes during embryonic development.
- it is fused shut in adults
