
What is the function of inguinal ligament?
The function of the inguinal ligament is to hold in place several of the tissues of the pelvis as they cross into the front of the leg, including muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. The oblique aponeurosis may be strengthened with abdominal exercises.
What is inguinal in anatomy?
The inguinal region of the body, also known as the groin, is located on the lower portion of the anterior abdominal wall, with the thigh inferiorly, the pubic tubercle medially, and the anterior...
What are the signs of an inguinal hernia?
- A bulge in your groin area: If so, you may have a direct or indirect hernia.
- You will see swelling in the lower part of your abdomen that extends down toward or even into your scrotum.
- A bulge on the thigh below your groin: This is most likely a femoral hernia.
What does inguinal ligament mean?
The inguinal ligament is a set of two bands that connect the oblique muscles of the abdomen to the pelvis, deep in the groin. They support soft tissues in the groin area and anchor the abdomen and pelvis. Inguinal hernia is a common problem in this part of the body, especially in men older than 40.

What structures passes under the inguinal ligament?
Structures that pass deep to the inguinal ligament include: Psoas major, iliacus, pectineus. Femoral nerve, artery, and vein. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh.
What two attachment points are connected by the inguinal ligament?
Description. The inguinal ligament or Poupart's ligament formed from the aponeurosis of the lower border of external obliquis muscle. It has 2 surfaces concave and convex, the convex surface toward the thigh attached to the deep fascia that pulling the ligament downward.
What muscle forms the inguinal ligament?
The inguinal ligament is formed by the lower border of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle, which is thickened and folded on itself.
What nerve runs under inguinal ligament?
The genitofemoral nerveThe genitofemoral nerve is formed from the L1 and L2 nerve roots and travels through the psoas muscle, dividing into a genital and a femoral branch. The femoral branch passes under the inguinal ligament to supply sensation to a small area on the medial thigh.
What causes tight inguinal ligament?
The specific force exerted by the oblique abdominal wall muscles during twisting, turning and kicking maneuvers over a period of time, may cause tensioning and cordlike bands within the inguinal ligament.
What does inguinal ligament pain feel like?
Pain and tenderness in the groin and the inside of the thigh. Pain when you bring your legs together. Pain when you raise your knee. A popping or snapping feeling during the injury, followed by severe pain.
What organs are located in the inguinal region?
The testis then follows the processus vaginalis into the scrotum. In males, the inguinal canal contains the ilioinguinal nerve and the spermatic cord, which includes the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve. In genetically female individuals, the development of the inguinal canal is slightly different.
What runs in the inguinal canal?
The spermatic cord is easily recognized as it runs in the inguinal canal. It runs together with several small vessels and nerves that connect with the testis. The structures that are of importance in the spermatic cord include the testicular artery, artery to the vas deferens and the cremaster artery.
What is the difference between mid inguinal point and midpoint of inguinal ligament?
The mid-inguinal point (MIP) is located on the inguinal ligament, halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic symphysis. It is not to be confused with the midpoint of the inguinal ligament itself, which is located halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle.
What is the origin of the inguinal ligament quizlet?
The inguinal ligament runs from the anterior superior iliac crest of the ilium to the pubic tubercle of the pubic bone. It is formed by the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis and is continuous with the fascia lata of the thigh.
What are the boundaries of the inguinal canal?
The canal has four borders – a roof and a floor, and anterior and posterior walls. It should be noted that the deep ring and thinnest part of the postural wall (i.e. the lateral aspect) is supported by the thickest part of the anterior wall.
What structures are located in the inguinal canal?
The contents of the inguinal canal in males consist of the spermatic cord (with the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve) and the ilioinguinal nerve. For females, the contents include the round ligament, genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and the ilioinguinal nerve.
Where is the inguinal ligament located?
The inguinal ligament is in the pelvis. It’s actually two symmetrical bands. Each one starts at the anterior superior iliac spine (toward the back of the wing-like bones of the pelvis). The ligaments then run in and down at an angle to the pubic tubercle — that’s at the bottom center of the pelvis, very deep in the groin.
What is at the bottom of the inguinal ligament?
At the bottom of the inguinal ligament is the inguinal ring and the inguinal canal. In men, the spermatic cord passes through these structures. In women, the round ligament of the uterus passes through. In both genders, nerves and blood vessels pass through the inguinal canal.
What is the ligament in the groin?
The inguinal ligament is a set of two bands in the groin that connect the oblique muscles of the abdomen to the pelvis. Inguinal hernia is a common problem in the inguinal area, especially in men older than 40. If you have pain or a bump in your groin, talk to a healthcare provider.
How common is an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernias are common, particularly in men older than 40. About 25% of men will have an inguinal hernia at some point. Only about 2% of women develop the condition.
What is it called when fat pushes into the inguinal area?
Sometimes, part of the intestine or fat can push into the inguinal area. This condition is called an inguinal hernia. A hernia can occur in someone who:
Which ligament connects the oblique muscles in the abdomen to the pelvis?
The inguinal ligament connects the oblique muscles in the abdomen to the pelvis. The oblique muscles wrap the sides of the body, from the ribs to the pelvis. The pelvis is the part of the skeleton that connects the trunk (upper body) to the legs (lower body).
What to do if you think you have an inguinal hernia?
If you think you have an inguinal hernia, you should seek medical attention. It can cause serious problems if left untreated.
What structures pass behind the inguinal ligament?
The following structures pass behind the inguinal ligament ; Psoas major, iliacus, and pectineus. Femoral nerve, artery, and vein at the midinguinal point. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. Lymphatics.
What is the inguinal ligament?
Description. The inguinal ligament or Poupart's ligament formed from the openurosis of the lower border of external obliquis muscle. It has 2 surfaces concave and convex, the convex surface toward the thigh attached to deep fascia that pulling the ligament downward.
What is the difference between a groin hernia and a femoral herni?
The inguinal ligament is considered as a landmark to distinguish clinically between the groin hernia in which the bulge is above the ligament , and femoral hernia the bulge is below the ligament .
Where is the pectineal line?
Pectineal/ cooper’s ligament, it is an extension from the lacunar ligament extending from the lacunar ligament and attaches to the pectineal line run on the superior ramus of the pubic bone forming the posterior border of the femoral ring.
Which ligaments are involved in pubic clock?
From the patient supine position the hip in abduction, externally rotated and knee flexed, the structures related to the pubic tubercle examined by careful palpation from adductor tendon medially, then pectineus, lacunar ligament, inguinal ligament, conjoined tendon, and rectus sheath attachment (pubic clock), through the posterior inguinal canal, and during the assessment, the tenderness may extend along the inguinal ligament.
Which ligament extends down from the medial border of the inguinal ligament?
Attachments. Lacunar/ Gimbernat's ligament , extend down from the medial border of the inguinal ligament, reflected backward and laterally to insert in pectineal line and also named as the pectineal part,it is triangular in shape attached to pubic tubercle by it’s apex while the base is free and directed laterally.
What is the midpoint between the ASIS and the symphysis pubis?
The midpoint between the ASIS and symphysis pubis called midinguinal point, an important surgical landmark, behind the external iliac artery continues as the femoral artery.
What is the inguinal ligament?
The inguinal ligament (also known as Poupart's ligament or the Fallopian ligament ) is a fibrous band extending from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle.
Where does the inguinal ligament originate?
The inguinal ligament arises from the anterior superior iliac spine and attaches to the pubic tubercle although there are some fibers which attach elsewhere as extensions or reflections of the inguinal ligament: The upper surface of the ligament gives origin to the external spermatic fascia from its medial part, ...
Which ligament is thickened and folded on itself?
Gross anatomy. The inguinal ligament is formed by the lower border of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle, which is thickened and folded on itself. Its lateral half runs obliquely, while the medial half is almost horizontal.
Which ligaments are posteriorly attached to the pubic ramus?
some fibers pass posteriorly to attach to the superior pubic ramus forming the lacunar ligament ( of Gimbernat) fibers that run with the lacunar ligament continue to pass more laterally to attach to the pecten pubis forming pectineal ligament (of Cooper) superior fibers run past the pubic tubercle to fuse with those of the contralateral external ...
Who is the surgeon who named the inguinal ligament?
It is named after Francois Poupart, French surgeon (1661-1709) who accurately described the inguinal ligament in the Histoire de l’Académie Royale des Sciences de Paris in 1705 5.
What is the origin of the spermatic fascia?
The upper surface of the ligament gives origin to the external spermatic fascia from its medial part, internal oblique muscle from the lateral two-thirds and transversus abdominis muscle from its lateral one-third. The ligament is continuous with the fascia lata of the thigh and the upper grooved surface forms the floor of the inguinal canal.
What is the inguinal ligament?
The inguinal ligament is an important connective tissue structure in the inguinal, or groin, region of the human body. It supports soft tissues in the groin as well as the external abdominal oblique muscle.
What ligament forms the floor of the inguinal canal?
The inguinal ligament forms the floor of the inguinal canal and supports the passage of structures through the canal. Inguinal hernias are a complication of the anatomical arrangement of the inguinal canal, especially in males.
What causes an inguinal hernia?
Under strenuous contraction of the abdominal muscles, the pressure on the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity can become so great that a segment of the small intestine can be forced through the inguinal canal, resulting in an inguinal hernia.
What is the superficial inguinal ring?
A small opening in the muscles and connective tissues of the abdomen — known as the superficial inguinal ring — is located just superior to the inguinal ligament. This opening forms part of the inguinal canal, which permits the spermatic cord in males and the round ligament of the uterus in females to exit the abdominopelvic cavity and pass through the external tissues of the pelvis. The inguinal ligament forms the floor of the inguinal canal and supports the passage of structures through the canal.
Which ligament supports the iliopsoas and pectineus muscles of the hip?
The inguinal ligament supports the muscles that run inferior to its fibers, including the iliopsoas and pectineus muscles of the hip. It also supports the nerves and blood vessels of the leg as they pass through the groin, including the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve.
Which canal allows the spermatic cord to exit the abdominopelvic cavity?
This opening forms part of the inguinal canal, which permits the spermatic cord in males and the round ligament of the uterus in females to exit the abdominopelvic cavity and pass through the external tissues of the pelvis.
What is the purpose of the inguinal ligament?
The Inguinal Ligament helps in preventing the intestines from projecting out from the groin. It also supports the external oblique muscles in the abdomen. Inguinal Ligament Pain is normally seen in athletes who run and sprint a lot and put these ligaments at risk of straining and tearing. A person suffering from Inguinal Ligament Sprain will ...
What is Inguinal Ligament and What is its Function?
The Inguinal Ligament is a constricted band of thick fibrous connective tissues which are present in the pelvic region of the body. 1 These tissues arise from the external oblique and course through across the groin and attaches to the front part of the iliac spine. The inguinal ligament forms the floor of the inguinal canal and provides support to the passage of structures through the canal.
What level of physical therapy is needed for inguinal ligament pain?
Level 2 Physical Therapy for Inguinal Ligament Pain: Static groin stretches should be started and a strengthening program should be undertaken. Examples of groin strengthening exercises are straight leg raises in which you bring your leg toward the midline of the body and abduction where you pull your leg away from the midline of the body. Hip flexion, hip internal and external rotation can also be useful. These exercises need to be performed every alternate day.
What causes inguinal ligament pain?
Advertisement. As stated, the main cause of Inguinal Ligament Pain is a sprain of that ligament. Inguinal Ligament Sprains can be classified into three categories. Grade I Inguinal Ligament Sprain: This is a mild form of sprain and causes no symptoms except for some mild inguinal ligament pain in the groin but does not affect movement of the person.
How long does it take for an inguinal ligament to heal?
The first 48 hours after an Inguinal Ligament Sprain is extremely important with regard to the success of treatment and expediting the healing process. Immediately after the injury or experience of inguinal ligament pain, the patient may apply ice packs to the groin area to decrease pain and calm down the inflammation.
Where is the midpoint of the inguinal ligament?
Midpoint of the inguinal ligament - halfway between the pubic tubercle and the anterior superior iliac spine (the two attachments of the inguinal ligament). The opening to the inguinal canal is located just above this point.
What is the inguinal canal?
Log In. 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. The canal serves as a pathway by which structures can pass from the abdominal wall to the external genitalia.
What is the difference between direct and indirect hernias?
Hernias involving the inguinal canal can be divided into two main categories: Indirect – where the peritoneal sac enters the inguinal canal through the deep inguinal ring. Direct – where the peritoneal sac enters the inguinal canal though the posterior wall of the inguinal canal.
What is the pathway that connects the testes to the scrotum?
The inguinal canal is the pathway by which the testes (in an individual with an XY karyotype) leave the abdominal cavity and enter the scrotum.
What is the canal in the embryo?
In the embryological stage, the canal is flanked by an out-pocketing of the peritoneum (processus vaginalis) and the abdominal musculature. The processus vaginalis normally degenerates, but a failure to do so can cause an indirect inguinal hernia, a hydrocele, or interfere with the descent of the testes.
Why do inguinal canals collapse?
The walls of the inguinal canal are usually collapsed around their contents, preventing other structures from potentially entering the canal and becoming stuck.
When do inguinal hernias become direct?
In contrast to the indirect hernia, direct inguinal hernias are acquired, usually in adulthood, due to weakening in the abdominal musculature.
