The Inguinal Region and Hernias

Question 1

What is a hernia?

Answer 1

A protrusion of the parietal peritoneum through the abdominal walls, roof of the abdomen or the floor of the pelvis.

Question 2

Name the 6 types of hernia.

Answer 2

Umbilical (through umbilicus)
Paraumbilical (near umbilicus)
Epigastric
Spigelion (at linea semilunaris)
Lumbar (through lumbar fascia)
Inguinal (direct, indirect, femoral)

Question 3

What is the external/superficial inguinal ring?

Answer 3

Weak spot to allow spermatic cord to pass through. Through which testes descend down through during development.
In females: round ligaments of the uterus and ilioinguinal nerves pass through this ring.
Where inguinal hernias can occur

Question 4

What is the inguinal ligament?

Answer 4

Lower wall of the external oblique aponeurotictendon.

Attaches at the pubic tubercle.

Question 5

Through where do femoral hernias occur?

Answer 5

Femoral canal

Question 6

What are the boundaries of the inguinal canals?

Answer 6

Anterior - aponeurosis of external oblique
Floor - inguinal ligament
Roof - internal oblique
Posterior - transversalis fascia

Question 7

Name the 3 fascial coverings of the spermatic cord and their origins.

Answer 7

External spermatic fascia - derived from external oblique
Cremasteric muscle and fascia - derived from internal oblique muscle
Interal spermatic fascia - derived from transversalis fascia

Question 8

What is the function of the gubernaculum?

Answer 8

Guide the descent of the testes.

Forms the round ligament of the uterus in females.

Question 9

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 9

Peritoneal fluid sac in the scrotum.

Question 10

What is the inguinal triangle (Hasselbach’s Triangle)?

Answer 10

A potential weak area on the anterior abdominal wall.

Question 11

What are the borders of the inguinal triangle?

Answer 11

Medial - linea semilunaris (lateral border of the rectus abdominus)
Lateral - inferior epigastric artery
Inferior - inguinal ligament