Inguinal Canal

Location

• Inguinal Canal is an oblique passage through the lower part of the abdominal wall.
• It is formed by aponeurosis of External Oblique Muscle and extended from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to pubic tubercle
• In male, it allows structure to pass to and from testis to the abdomen.
• In female, it allows the round ligament of the uterus to pass from the uterus to the labium majus

Walls

• Anterior - external oblique aponeurosis, lateral 2/3 of internal oblique muscle
• Posterior - fascia transversalis on lateral part, medial 1/3 of conjoint tendon on medial part.
• Superior - arching fibers of internal oblique muscle & transversus abdominis muscle
• Inferior – Lower edge of inguinal ligament and lacunar ligament on medial end.

Content

• Spermatic Cord
• Ilio-inguinal nerve
• Genital branch of genitor-femoral nerve

Extend

• The canal extends from the deep inguinal ring, a hole in the fascia transversalis, downward and medially to the external oblique muscle.
• It lies parallel and immediately above the inguinal ligament.