The conjoint tendon is a structure formed from the lower part transversus abdominis muscle

Transversus abdominis muscle

The transversus abdominis muscle, also known as the transverse abdominus, transversalis muscle and transverse abdominal muscle, is a muscle layer of the anterior and lateral abdominal wall which is deep to the internal oblique muscle...

 as it inserts into the crest of the pubis and pectineal line

Pectineal line (pubis)

The pecten pubis or pectineal line of the pubis is a ridge on the superior ramus of the pubic bone.The pecten pubis forms part of the pelvic brim.Lying across it are fibers of the pectineal ligament and the proximal origin of the pectineus muscle....

 immediately behind the superficial inguinal ring

Superficial inguinal ring

The superficial inguinal ring is an anatomical structure in the anterior wall of the human abdomen. It is a triangular opening that forms the exit of the inguinal canal, which houses the ilioinguinal nerve, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and the spermatic cord or the round ligament...

. It is usually conjoint with the tendon of the abdominal internal oblique muscle

Abdominal internal oblique muscle

The internal oblique muscle is the intermediate muscle of the abdomen, lying just underneath the external oblique and just above the transverse abdominal muscle.-Structure:...

, but they may be separate as well. It forms the medial part of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal

Inguinal canal

The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament. The inguinal canal is larger and more prominent in men.-Site:...

.

Clinical significance

The conjoint tendon serves to protect what would otherwise be a weak point in the abdominal wall.

A direct inguinal hernia

Direct inguinal hernia

The direct inguinal hernia, a type of inguinal hernia, enters through a weak point in the fascia of the abdominal wall, and its sac is noted to be medial to the inferior epigastric vessels...

 will protrude through Hesselbach's triangle, whose borders are the rectus abdominus (medially), inferior epigastric artery

Inferior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...

 and vein (superolaterally), and the inguinal ligament (inferiorly). The hernia will lie medial to the inferior epigastric artery. This is in contrast to an indirect inguinal hernia

Indirect inguinal hernia

An indirect inguinal hernia is an inguinal hernia that results from the failure of embryonic closure of the deep inguinal ring after the testicle has passed through it. Like other inguinal hernias, it protrudes through the superficial inguinal ring...

, which will protrude laterally to the inferior epigastric artery

Inferior epigastric artery

In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...

 and is most commonly due to an embryological defect in the closure of the deep inguinal ring.

See also

• Falx (disambiguation) — other parts of the anatomy with names including "falx"
• interfoveolar ligament
  Interfoveolar ligament
  Lateral to the inguinal aponeurotic falx is a ligamentous band connected with the lower margin of the transversus abdominis muscle and extending down in front of the inferior epigastric artery to the superior ramus of the pubis; it is termed the interfoveolar ligament of Hesselbach and sometimes...
  
  

External links

- "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Reflection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle"