What is the anatomical relationship from lateral to medial in the inguinal (groin) canal?

The anatomical relationships in the inguinal crease from lateral to medial are: the femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral canal (often remembered by the mnemonic NAVEL, where N stands for nerve, A for artery, V for vein, E for empty space, and L for lymphatics in the femoral canal). The femoral nerve lies most laterally, providing motor innervation to the anterior thigh muscles and sensory innervation to the anterior thigh and medial leg. The femoral artery is positioned medial to the nerve and is the continuation of the external iliac artery below the inguinal ligament, serving as the main arterial supply to the lower limb. The femoral vein lies medial to the artery, returning blood from the lower extremity. Most medially is the femoral canal, which contains lymphatics and a lymph node (Cloquet's node) and represents a potential site for femoral hernias. This arrangement is clinically significant for procedures like femoral artery catheterization, assessment of peripheral pulses, and evaluation of hernias in the groin region.