In human anatomy, the inguinal region refers to either the
groin
In human anatomy, the groin, also known as the inguinal region or iliac region, is the junctional area between the torso and the thigh. The groin is at the front of the body on either side of the pubic tubercle, where the lower part of the abdom ...
or the lower lateral regions of the
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the gut, belly, tummy, midriff, tucky, or stomach) is the front part of the torso between the thorax (chest) and pelvis in humans and in other vertebrates. The area occupied by the abdomen is called the abdominal ...
. It may also refer to:
*
Conjoint tendon
also known as superior tendon of abdominal cavity.
The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a sheath of connective tissue formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the abdominal internal oblique musc ...
, previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx, a structure formed from the transversus abdominis insertion into the pecten pubis
*
Granuloma inguinale
Granuloma inguinale is a bacterial disease caused by '' Klebsiella granulomatis'' (formerly known as ''Calymmatobacterium granulomatis'') characterized by genital ulcers. It is endemic in many less-developed regions. It is also known as donovan ...
, a bacterial disease characterized by ulcerative genital lesions that is endemic in many less developed regions
*
Inguinal canal
The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall on each side of the body (one on each side of the midline), which in males, convey the spermatic cords and in females, the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are lar ...
, a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament
*
Inguinal falx
also known as superior tendon of abdominal cavity.
The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a sheath of connective tissue formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the abdominal internal oblique muscl ...
, the conjoined tendon of the obliquus internus and transversus muscles
*
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia or groin hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absen ...
, a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal
**
Direct inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia or groin hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are abse ...
, a type of inguinal hernia with a sac that is medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
**
Indirect inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia or groin hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent ...
, a hernia that results from the failure of the embryonic internal inguinal ring after the testicle has passed through it
*
Inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament (), also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may ...
, a ligament that runs from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine
*
Inguinal lymph node
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the groin. They are situated in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region. They are subdivided into two groups: the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and deep inguinal lymph nodes.
Superficial inguinal ly ...
a type of lymph node in the inguinal region
**
Deep inguinal lymph nodes
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the groin. They are situated in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region. They are subdivided into two groups: the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and deep inguinal lymph nodes.
Superficial inguinal ly ...
, three to five deep lymph nodes that are located medial to the femoral vein and under the cribriform fascia
**
Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the groin. They are situated in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region. They are subdivided into two groups: the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and deep inguinal lymph nodes.
Superficial inguinal l ...
, ten superficial lymph nodes that form a chain immediately below the inguinal ligament
*
Inguinal orchiectomy
Inguinal orchiectomy (also named orchidectomy) is a specific method of orchiectomy whereby one or both testicles and the full spermatic cord are surgically removed through an incision in the lower lateral abdomen (the "inguinal region"). The pr ...
, a surgical procedure to remove a testicle
* Inguinal ring, the two openings of the inguinal canal
**
Deep inguinal ring
The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall on each side of the body (one on each side of the midline), which in males, convey the spermatic cords and in females, the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are large ...
, the entrance to the inguinal canal
**
Superficial inguinal ring
The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall on each side of the body (one on each side of the midline), which in males, convey the spermatic cords and in females, the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are large ...
, a triangular opening that forms the exit of the inguinal canal
*
Inguinal triangle
In human anatomy, the inguinal triangle is a region of the abdominal wall. It is also known by the eponym Hesselbach's triangle, after Franz Kaspar Hesselbach.
Structure
It is defined by the following structures:
* Medial border: Lateral margin ...
, a region of the abdominal wall, also known by the eponym Hesselbach's triangle
*
Lateral inguinal fossa
The lateral inguinal fossa is a structure described in human anatomy. It is a shallow concave stretch of peritoneum on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall and is best seen from the greater peritoneal cavity, looking anteriorly (as, for ...
, a shallow concave stretch of peritoneum on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall
*
Medial inguinal fossa
The medial inguinal fossa is a depression located within the inguinal triangle on the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall between the ridges formed by the lateral umbilical fold The lateral umbilical fold is an elevation (on either si ...
a depression located within the inguinal triangle on the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall
*
Reflected inguinal ligament, a triangular layer of tendinous fibers formed by the medial fibers of the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis
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