Inguinal ligament
Encyclopedia
The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle
to the anterior superior iliac spine
. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia
patients.
through which an indirect inguinal hernia
may develop.
The inguinal ligament runs from the anterior superior iliac spine
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.
There is some dispute over the attachments.
.
Pubic tubercle
The pubic tubercle is a prominent forward-projecting tubercle on the upper border of the medial portion of the superior ramus of the pubis...
to the anterior superior iliac spine
Anterior superior iliac spine
The anterior superior iliac spine is an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis, which provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle...
. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
patients.
Anatomy
It forms the base of the inguinal canalInguinal 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:...
through which 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...
may develop.
The inguinal ligament runs from the anterior superior iliac spine
Anterior superior iliac spine
The anterior superior iliac spine is an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis, which provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle...
of the ilium
Ilium (bone)
The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin ,...
to the pubic tubercle
Pubic tubercle
The pubic tubercle is a prominent forward-projecting tubercle on the upper border of the medial portion of the superior ramus of the pubis...
of the pubic bone
Pubis (bone)
In vertebrates, the pubic bone is the ventral and anterior of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis.It is covered by a layer of fat, which is covered by the mons pubis....
. It is formed by the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis
Aponeurosis
Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, are histologically similar to tendons, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections...
and is continuous with the fascia lata
Fascia lata
-Thickness:It is an investment for the whole of the thigh, but varies in thickness in different parts.Thus, it is thicker in the upper and lateral part of the thigh, where it receives a fibrous expansion from the Glutæus maximus, and where the Tensor fasciæ latæ is inserted between its layers; it...
of the thigh.
There is some dispute over the attachments.
Eponym
It is incorrectly referred to as Poupart's ligament, because Poupart gave it its relevance to hernial repair (he called it "le suspenseur de l'abdomen", the suspender of the abdomen). It is also incorrectly termed the Fallopian ligament.Function
The ligament serves to contain soft tissues as they course anteriorly from the trunk to the lower extremity. This structure demarcates the superior border of the femoral triangleFemoral triangle
The femoral triangle is an anatomical region of the upper inner human thigh.-Boundaries:It is bounded by:* the inguinal ligament* the medial border of the adductor longus muscle...
.
