INGUINAL REGION

Inguinal Canal: Formed from the aponeuroses of the three flat muscles.

• It a diagonal passage. Most tubular structures pass through membranes diagonally, as the ureters and fallopian tubes do.
• This provides reinforcement on the wall of the structure being entered.

Contents of Inguinal Canal
o Spermatic Cord (male) or Round Ligament (female)
o Ilioinguinal Nerve
o Genital Branch of the Genitofemoral Nerve.

Inguinal Triangle (Hesselbach's Triangle): An area of weakness in the aponeurosis, where direct hernias can occur.

• Borders:
  

o The lateral margin of the rectus muscle (aka semilunaris)
o The Inferior Epigastric Artery
o The Inguinal Ligament

CONJOINT TENDON: The space of membrane where the transversus abdominis and internal oblique aponeuroses join into one. It is an area of weakness in the abdominal wall.

HERNIAS: The protrusion of intraperitoneal guts outside of the peritoneum (i.e. through the peritoneal wall).

• DIRECT INGUINAL HERNIA: Gut goes straight through the inguinal triangle, through the conjoint tendon. It will be located medial to the inferior epigastric artery
  

• INDIRECT INGUINAL HERNIA: Hernia that passes through the inguinal canal and originates lateral to the inferior epigastric artery.
  

Congenital Indirect: The weakness was present at birth.

1. Agenesis: Absence of growth or closure of some part of the abdominal wall.
2. Dysgenesis: Incorrect or dysfunctional growth.
   

Acquired Indirect:

1. Ascites -- (fluid buildup in peritoneum)
2. Obesity
3. Pregnancy
4. Surgical Incisions

Diaphragmatic Hernias:

o HIATAL HERNIA: Distal end of the esophagus can draw itself back into the eosphageal hiatus, pulling part of
the stomach with it.
 Referred pain from a hiatal hernia occurs in Epigastric region, around T7-T8.

o Semilunar Hernias: Occur along the rectus sheath and arcuate lines, mostly.

Category: Anatomy Notes