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The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in woman the round ligament. The inguinal canal is larger and more prominent in men.
Boundaries
- anterior wall: external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique
- inferior wall (floor): inguinal ligament
- superior wall (roof): internal abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis.
- posterior wall: transversalis fascia, falx inguinalis
Development
During development in men the testes descend from their starting point near the kidneys down the abdomen and through the inguinal canal to reach the scrotum.
Disorders
The inguinal canal in women seldom leads to medical problems owing to its small size. In men, an inguinal hernia may occur, in which abdominal contents (usually the intestine) push through the canal's opening.
These may be direct or indirect, depending upon whether the contents impinge directly through the abdominal wall, or course through the length of the canal, respectively.
See also
External links
"Inguinal canal"