General information
The inguinal canal (Canalis inguinalis) is located in the inguinal region and runs via the inguinal ligament (Lig. inguinale) through the abdominal wall. The inguinal canal represents an important anatomical point of the body: It contains various structures (nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, etc.) and protects them as they pass through the body. At the same time, the inguinal canal is also a weak point of the human body, as inguinal hernias can develop there.
Anatomical structure
The limiting structures of the canal include muscle tendons and ligaments. The length of the canal is about 4 cm. There are two openings, the outer, medial and the inner, lateral opening.
- The roof – i.e. the cranial/upper boundary – of the inguinal canal is bounded by the tendon plate (aponeurosis) of the inner oblique abdominal muscle (M. obliquus internus abdominis) and the outer oblique abdominal muscle (M. obliquus externus abdominis).
- The bottom (lower/caudal boundary) of the canal represents the lower edge of the tendon plate of the external oblique abdominal muscle, which continues as a ligamentum reflexum to the linea alba after it has once hit the back. In addition, the tendon plate is reinforced by the inguinal ligament.
- To the front, the canal is also limited by the tendon plate of the external oblique abdominal muscle.
- The posterior wall (posterior/dorsal boundary) is formed by the inner abdominal wall fascia (Fascia transversalis abdominis).
- The lateral (lateral) opening (Anulus inguinalis profundus) can be recognized by the radiation of the inner abdominal wall fascia. In men, the abdominal fascia (here also called the vaginal process) envelops the spermatic cord and then continues with it.
The processus vaginalis recedes in the woman. If this does not happen, a so-called Nuck cyst or female hydrocele can be observed.
- The medial opening (Anulus inguinalis superficialis) is bounded by the crus laterale of the tendon plate of the external oblique abdominal muscle at the back-bottom and by the crus medial of the same tendon plate at the front and top. Both cruras are connected by intercrural fibrae. The superficial abdominal fascia covers the opening and in men runs around the spermatic cord.
