The superficial inguinal ring is an anatomical structure in the anterior wall of the human abdomen

Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...

. It is a triangular opening that forms the exit 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:...

, which houses the ilioinguinal nerve

Ilioinguinal nerve

The ilioinguinal nerve is a branch of the first lumbar nerve . It separates from the first lumbar nerve along with the larger iliohypogastric nerve....

, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve

Genitofemoral nerve

In human anatomy, the genitofemoral nerve originates from the upper part of the lumbar plexus of spinal nerves. Its roots are L1 and L2 .The genitofemoral nerve is responsible for both the efferent and afferent limbs of the cremasteric reflex...

, and the spermatic cord

Spermatic cord

The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the ductus deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.-Contents of spermatic cord:...

 (in men) or the round ligament

Round ligament of uterus

The round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns, in the parametrium. The round ligament leaves the pelvis via the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal and continues on to the labia majora where its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons...

 (in women). At the other end of the canal, the deep inguinal ring

Deep inguinal ring

The deep inguinal ring is the entrance to the inguinal canal.-Location:...

 forms the entrance. It is also called the subcutaneous inguinal ring or external inguinal ring.

It is found within the aponeurosis of the external oblique, immediately above the crest of the pubis

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....

, 1 centimeter above and lateral 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...

. It has medial and lateral crura

Crura of superficial inguinal ring

The superficial inguinal ring is bounded below by the crest of the pubis; on either side by the margins of the opening in the aponeurosis, which are called the crura of the ring; and above, by a series of curved intercrural fibers....

. It is at the layer of the aponeurosis of the obliquus externus abdominis

Aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominis

The aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominis is a thin but strong membranous structure, the fibers of which are directed downward and medially....

.

Clinical significance

The superficial ring is palpable

Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location...

 under normal conditions. It becomes dilated in a condition called athletic pubalgia. Abdominal contents may protrude through the ring in inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. They are very common , and their repair is one of the most frequently performed surgical operations....

.

External links

- "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Borders of the Superficial Inguinal Ring" - "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord."