Inguinal Region

Question 1

What two structures does the inguinal canal run between?

Answer 1

Deep inguinal ring and Superficial inguinal ring

Question 2

The inguinal canal runs parallel to what structure?

Answer 2

The inguinal ligament

Question 3

The inguinal canal is a passageway for what structures?

Answer 3

Spermatic cord (males), Round ligament of uterus (females)

Question 4

The inguinal ligament allows the spermatic cord and round ligament of uterus passage through what part of the body?

Answer 4

Inferior part of abdominal wall

Question 5

What nerve is found in the inguinal canal, and what is the difference in its course and those of the main structures of the inguinal canal?

Answer 5

The ilioinguinal nerve. It travels in the canal but does not enter at the deep inguinal ring

Question 6

The inguinal canal runs immediately ________ to the medial half of the inguinal ligament

Answer 6

Superior

Question 7

What is a main potential weak spot of the lower abdominal wall, especially in males?

Answer 7

The inguinal canal

Question 8

Where do the testes originally develop?

Answer 8

On the posterior abdominal wall outside the peritoneum

Question 9

The testis descend into the scrotum along an evagination of the peritneum known as what?

Answer 9

Processus vaginalis

Question 10

Where is the processus vaginalis, what two layers does it have, what does it do, and what part does not degenerate?

Answer 10

An evagination of the peritoneum, it has parietal and visceral layer, it surrounds the testes, and the distal part (tunica vaginalis testis) does not degenerate

Question 11

What is the primary component of the anterior wall of the inguinal canal and what is this wall reinforced by?

Answer 11

Primarily aponeurosis of EAO muscle, reinforced laterally by fibers of the IAO muscle

Question 12

What forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and what reinforces this wall?

Answer 12

Transversalis fascia, reinforced medially by conjoint tendon (common tendon of IAO and TA)

Question 13

What forms the roof of the inguinal canal?

Answer 13

Arching fibers of the IAO and TA muscles

Question 14

What forms the floor of the inguinal canal and what reinforces it?

Answer 14

The superior aspect of the inguinal ligament (EAO aponeurosis), reinforced medially by lacunar ligament

Question 15

What is the lacunar ligament formed from, what does it help form, and what does it do?

Answer 15

Formed from shelflike extension of EAO aponeurosis, helps form floor of inguinal canal, and it supports spermatic cord (males) and round ligament of uterus (females)

Question 16

What are the two parts of the superficial inguinal ring and what does each attach to?

Answer 16

Lateral crus (attaches to pubic tubercle), Medial crus (attaches to body of pubis)

Question 17

What keeps the superficial inguinal ring from splitting apart

Answer 17

Intercrural fibers running perpendicular to the crural fibers

Question 18

What is the deep inguinal ring made of?

Answer 18

It is an evagination of transversalis fascia

Question 19

Where is the deep inguinal ring located?

Answer 19

Above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament and lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels

Question 20

Which of the inguinal rings are visible externally?

Answer 20

Only the superficial ring

Question 21

Where does the spermatic cord begin, what structure does it pass through, and where does it end up?

Answer 21

Begins at deep inguinal ring, passes through inguinal canal, and ends up at the testes

Question 22

List the contents of the spermatic cord

Answer 22

Ductus deferens, Testicular artery, Pampiniform plexus of veins, Genital bridge of genitofemoral nerve, Lymphatics, sympathetic nerve fibers, additional smaller arteries

Question 23

What innervates the cremaster muscle?

Answer 23

The genital bridge of the genitofemoral nerve

Question 24

Where do the lymphatics of the testis and ovary drain to?

Answer 24

Lumbar and pre-aortic lymph nodes

Question 25

Where do the scrotum and labia majora lymphatics drain to?

Answer 25

Superficial inguinal nodes

Question 26

What do the superficial inguinal lymph nodes parallel?

Answer 26

The inferior border of the inguinal ligament

Question 27

Hydrocele testis

Answer 27

Accumulation of excess fluid in the tunica vaginalis (remnant of peritoneum around the testis)

Question 28

What is the issue with vericosities of the scrotum?

Answer 28

Torsion of the spermatic cord can cut off blood supply

Question 29

Spermatocele

Answer 29

Accumulation of sperm on one or both sides. Can lead to cyst of sperm and fluid

Question 30

Give the primary difference between direct and indirect hernias

Answer 30

Indirect follow the pathway of the descent of the testis, direct do not follow that path

Question 31

The inguinal triangle is the site of which type of hernia?

Answer 31

Direct

Question 32

Where does a direct hernia push through the canal wall?

Answer 32

Medial to the inferior epigastric vessels

Question 33

How does a direct hernia reach the superficial ring?

Answer 33

By passing around or through the conjoint tendon

Question 34

Which type of hernia is acquired and which is congenital?

Answer 34

Direct is acquired, indirect is congenital

Question 35

Where does an indirect hernia enter the inguinal canal?

Answer 35

Lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels

Question 36

What congenital abnormality usually leads to indirect hernias?

Answer 36

A patent processus vaginalis