What forms the medial boundary of the femoral canal?

The Medial Boundary of the Femoral Canal

The medial boundary of the femoral canal is the lacunar ligament (Gimbernat's ligament). 1

Anatomical Boundaries of the Femoral Canal

The femoral canal has distinct anatomical boundaries that are important to understand for surgical approaches and diagnostic procedures:

• Medial boundary: Lacunar ligament (Gimbernat's ligament) 1, 2
• Lateral boundary: Femoral vein 1, 3
• Anterior boundary: Inguinal ligament 1
• Posterior boundary: Pectineal ligament (Cooper's ligament) and pectineus muscle fascia 2

Clinical Significance

Understanding the boundaries of the femoral canal is crucial for several clinical applications:

• Femoral hernia repair: The lacunar ligament forms a critical boundary that prevents herniation through the femoral canal. When this mechanism fails, femoral hernias can develop 4, 5

• Vascular procedures: The femoral vein serves as the lateral boundary, making it an important landmark during vascular access procedures 3

• Lymphadenectomy: During inguinal lymphadenectomy, proper identification of the femoral canal boundaries helps preserve important structures while ensuring complete removal of lymphatic tissue 3

Functional Anatomy

• The femoral canal normally contains loose connective tissue and occasionally a lymph node (of Cloquet) 5

• During increased intra-abdominal pressure (such as during Valsalva maneuver), the femoral vein expands to fill the femoral canal, providing a functional closure mechanism that helps prevent herniation 5

• The lacunar ligament forms a curved edge that effectively bars the femoral canal from entering the thigh unprotected 2

Common Misconceptions

• A common misconception is that the femoral artery forms the lateral boundary of the femoral canal, when in fact it is the femoral vein 1, 3

• Another misconception is that the femoral nerve forms the medial boundary, when it actually lies lateral to the femoral canal and its contents 1