The borders of the inguinal canal are:
The deep (internal) ring is a defect in the transversalis fascia and is located approximately 1.5-2 cm above the mid-point of the inguinal ligament (half way between the pubic tubercle and anterior superior iliac spine). The deep ring is the ‘entrance’ to the inguinal canal.
The inguinal canal contains:
The spermatic cord contains the following structures:
Note: The structures of the spermatic cord can be remembered using the rule of “3’s” (3 facial coverings; 3 arteries; 3 nerves and 3 other structures).
"Hesselbach’s triangle is an area in the anterior abdominal wall bounded by:
Inferior : Inguinal ligament
Lateral : Inferior epigastric artery
Medial : Lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle
"The femoral canal contains connective tissue, fat and lymphatics. It can contain a deep inguinal lymph node named the ‘Cloquet’s node’.
The femoral ring is the proximal opening of the femoral canal bounded by:
Anterior: Inguinal ligament
Posterior: Pectineal ligament overlying the superior ramus of the pubis
Medial: Lacunar ligament
Lateral: Femoral vein