In human anatomy, the inguinal region refers to either the
groin
In human anatomy, the groin (the adjective is ''inguinal'', as in inguinal canal) is the junctional area (also known as the inguinal region) between the abdomen and the thigh on either side of the pubic bone. This is also known as the medial comp ...
or the lower lateral regions of the
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso. ...
. It may also refer to:
*
Conjoint tendon
The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a sheath of connective tissue formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the abdominal internal oblique muscle and the transversus abdominis muscle, joining th ...
, previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx, a structure formed from the transversus abdominis insertion into the pecten pubis
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Granuloma inguinale
Granuloma inguinale is a bacterial disease caused by ''Klebsiella granulomatis'' (formerly known as ''Calymmatobacterium granulomatis'') characterized by genital ulcers. It is endemic in many less-developed regions. It is also known as donovano ...
, a bacterial disease characterized by ulcerative genital lesions that is endemic in many less developed regions
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Inguinal canal
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. T ...
, a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament
*
Inguinal falx
The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a sheath of connective tissue formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the abdominal internal oblique muscle and the transversus abdominis muscle, joining th ...
, the conjoined tendon of the obliquus internus and transversus muscles
*
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent in about a third ...
, a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal
**
Direct inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent in about a third ...
, a type of inguinal hernia with a sac that is medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
**
Indirect inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal cavity, abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent ...
, a hernia that results from the failure of the embryonic internal inguinal ring after the testicle has passed through it
*
Inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament (), also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may dev ...
, a ligament that runs from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine
*
Inguinal lymph node
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the human groin. Located in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region, they are grouped into superficial and deep lymph nodes. The superficial have three divisions: the superomedial, superolateral, and inf ...
a type of lymph node in the inguinal region
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Deep inguinal lymph nodes
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the human groin. Located in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region, they are grouped into superficial and deep lymph nodes. The superficial have three divisions: the superomedial, superolateral, and in ...
, three to five deep lymph nodes that are located medial to the femoral vein and under the cribriform fascia
**
Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the human groin. Located in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region, they are grouped into superficial and deep lymph nodes. The superficial have three divisions: the superomedial, superolateral, and in ...
, ten superficial lymph nodes that form a chain immediately below the inguinal ligament
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Inguinal orchiectomy
Inguinal orchiectomy (also named orchidectomy) is a specific method of orchiectomy whereby one or both testicles and the full spermatic cord are surgically removed through an incision in the lower lateral abdomen (the "inguinal region"). The pr ...
, a surgical procedure to remove a testicle
* Inguinal ring, the two openings of the inguinal canal
**
Deep inguinal ring
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. Th ...
, the entrance to the inguinal canal
**
Superficial inguinal ring
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. Th ...
, a triangular opening that forms the exit of the inguinal canal
*
Inguinal triangle
In human anatomy, the inguinal triangle is a region of the abdominal wall. It is also known by the eponym Hesselbach's triangle, after Franz Kaspar Hesselbach.
Structure
It is defined by the following structures:
* Medial border: Lateral margi ...
, a region of the abdominal wall, also known by the eponym Hesselbach's triangle
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Lateral inguinal fossa
The lateral inguinal fossa is a structure described in human anatomy. It is a shallow concave stretch of peritoneum on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall and is best seen from the greater peritoneal cavity, looking anteriorly (as, for ...
, a shallow concave stretch of peritoneum on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall
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Medial inguinal fossa
The medial inguinal fossa is a depression located within the inguinal triangle on the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall between the ridges formed by the lateral umbilical fold and the medial umbilical ligament, corresponding to the ...
a depression located within the inguinal triangle on the peritoneal surface of the anterior abdominal wall
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Reflected inguinal ligament
The reflected inguinal ligament (triangular fascia) is a layer of tendinous fibers of a triangular shape, formed by an expansion from the lacunar ligament and the inferior crus of the subcutaneous inguinal ring.
It passes medialward behind the spe ...
, a triangular layer of tendinous fibers formed by the medial fibers of the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis
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