Inguinal canal Flashcards
what is the inguinal canal and where does it pass
The inguinal canal is a short passage that extends inferiorly and medially through the inferior part of the abdominal wall. It is superior and parallel to the inguinal ligament.
what is the purpose of the inguinal canal and what is its clinical relevance
The canal serves as a pathway by which structures can pass from the abdominal wall to the external genitalia. It is of clinical importance as a potential weakness in the abdominal wall, and thus a common site of herniation.
what are the contents of the inguinal canal in females
In biological females, the much smaller round ligament of the uterus traverses through the canal on its way to the labia majora.
what are the contents of the inguinal canal in males
In biological males, the spermatic cord passes through the inguinal canal, to supply and drain the testes.
why are the walls of the inguinal canal usually collapsed around their contents?
preventing other structures from potentially entering the canal and becoming stuck.
what are the two opening of the IC
two openings – the superficial and deep rings.
The inguinal canal is bordered by anterior, posterior, superior (roof) and inferior (floor) walls. what majes uo each wall
Anterior wall – aponeurosis of the external oblique, reinforced by the internal oblique muscle laterally.
Posterior wall – transversalis fascia.
Roof – transversalis fascia, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis.
Floor – inguinal ligament (a ‘rolled up’ portion of the external oblique aponeurosis), thickened medially by the lacunar ligament.
what happens during priods of increased intraabdominal pressue
the abdominal viscera are pushed into the posterior wall of the inguinal canal
so what action is take n by the IC to prevent herniation of viscera into the canal
the muscles of the anterior and posterior wall contract, and ‘clamp down’ on the canal.
where is the deep ring found
found above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament. which is lateral to the epigastric vessels. The ring is created by the transversalis fascia, which invaginates to form a covering of the contents of the inguinal canal.
where is the superificial ring found and what is the path and functin of the intercrurial fibres
marks the end of the inguinal canal, and lies just superior to the pubic tubercle. It is a triangle shaped opening, formed by the evagination of the external oblique, which forms another covering of the inguinal canal contents. This opening contains intercrural fibres, which run perpendicular to the aponeurosis of the external oblique and prevent the ring from widening.
During development, the tissue that will become gonads (either testes or ovaries) establish where and where do they go from there
stablish in the posterior abdominal wall, and descend through the abdominal cavity
what is the gubernaculum and what does it do
fibrous cord of tissue called the gubernaculum attaches the inferior portion of the gonad to the future scrotum or labia, and guides them during their descent.
what is teh IC
he pathway by which the testes (in an individual with an XY karyotype) leave the abdominal cavity and enter the scrotum.
how is the IC diferent during the embryological stage
the canal is flanked by an out-pocketing of the peritoneum (processus vaginalis) and the abdominal musculature.
