All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
inguinal canal
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
The inguinal canal (canalis inguinalis) is an obliquely located slit-like space between the lower edges of the broad muscles, the transverse fascia and the inguinal ligament, which in men contains the spermatic cord, and in women - the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canal is located above the medial half of the inguinal ligament, its length is 4-5 cm. It passes in the thickness of the anterior abdominal wall (at its lower border) from the deep inguinal ring, formed by the invagination of the transverse fascia above the middle of the inguinal ligament, to the superficial inguinal ring. The superficial inguinal ring is located above the superior branch of the pubic bone, between the lateral and medial legs of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen.
The inguinal canal has four walls: anterior, posterior, superior and inferior. The anterior wall of the inguinal canal is formed by the aponeurosis of the external oblique abdominal muscle, the posterior wall is formed by the transverse fascia, the superior wall is formed by the lower freely hanging edges of the internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles, and the inferior wall is formed by the inguinal ligament.
The deep inguinal ring (annulus inguinalis profundus) from the abdominal side looks like a funnel-shaped depression of the transverse fascia, located above the middle of the inguinal ligament. The deep inguinal ring corresponds to the location of the lateral inguinal fossa.
The superficial inguinal ring (annulus inguinalis superficialis) is located above the pubic bone. It is limited above by the medial and below by the lateral crura of the aponeurosis of the external oblique abdominal muscle. The lateral wall of the superficial inguinal ring is formed by transversely located intercrural fibers (fibrae intercrurales), which are thrown from the medial crus to the lateral and belong to the fascia covering the external oblique abdominal muscle from the outside. The medial wall of the superficial inguinal ring is the reflex ligament (lig.reflexum), formed by a branch of the inguinal ligament and the fibers of the lateral crus of the aponeurosis of the external oblique abdominal muscle named above.
The origin of the inguinal canal is associated with the process of testicular descent and the formation of the scrotum during embryogenesis.
[ What do need to examine?
How to examine?