Inguinal ligament

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Inguinal ligament

The inguinal ligament (also known as Poupart's ligament) is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy and function are significant in the fields of anatomy, surgery, and sports medicine.

Anatomy

The inguinal ligament is formed by the lower border of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle. It extends from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the pubic tubercle. The ligament is approximately 12-14 cm in length and serves as a landmark for various anatomical structures.

Relations

The inguinal ligament is closely related to several important anatomical structures:

• Inguinal canal: The inguinal ligament forms the floor of the inguinal canal, which houses the spermatic cord in males and the round ligament of the uterus in females.
• Femoral artery and femoral vein: These vessels pass beneath the inguinal ligament as they enter the thigh.
• Ilioinguinal nerve: This nerve runs parallel to the inguinal ligament and provides sensory innervation to the groin area.

Function

The primary function of the inguinal ligament is to support the lower abdominal wall and to act as a boundary for the structures passing from the abdomen to the thigh. It also plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the inguinal canal.

Clinical Significance

The inguinal ligament is of clinical importance in several conditions:

• Inguinal hernia: A protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal, often requiring surgical intervention.
• Femoral hernia: Occurs when abdominal contents push through the femoral canal, located just below the inguinal ligament.
• Sports hernia: A condition often seen in athletes, characterized by chronic groin pain without a clinically detectable hernia.

Surgical Considerations

During surgical procedures such as hernia repairs, the inguinal ligament serves as a critical landmark. Surgeons must be cautious to avoid damaging the nearby femoral artery, femoral vein, and ilioinguinal nerve.

See Also

• Inguinal canal
• Inguinal hernia
• Femoral hernia
• External oblique muscle
• Anterior superior iliac spine
• Pubic tubercle