What are the boundaries of the inguinal (groin) canal?

From the Research

Boundaries of the Inguinal Canal

The inguinal canal is a complex anatomical region with multiple layers and structures. The boundaries of the inguinal canal are formed by:

• The external oblique aponeurosis, which forms the anterior wall of the canal 1
• The internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, which form the posterior wall of the canal
• The transversalis fascia, which forms the floor of the canal 2
• The deep inguinal ring, which is a defect in the transversalis fascia and marks the entrance to the canal 1, 3
• The superficial inguinal ring, which is a defect in the external oblique aponeurosis and marks the exit from the canal

Key Structures

Some key structures that are related to the boundaries of the inguinal canal include:

• The iliopubic tract, which is a fibrous structure that runs along the posterior wall of the canal 4
• The transversus abdominis aponeurosis, which forms part of the posterior wall of the canal 4
• The transversalis crura and sling, which are fibrous structures that support the floor of the canal 4
• The gubernaculum, which is a fibrous structure that plays a role in the development of the inguinal canal 3

Variations and Anatomical Relationships

There can be variations in the anatomy of the inguinal canal, including:

• The width of the deep inguinal ring, which can vary from 1.5 to 7 cm 1
• The density and texture of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle, which can be dense, rather laddered, or very laddered 1
• The relationship between the inguinal canal and the femoral canal, which is a nearby anatomical structure 5