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Inguinal ligament

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Borders, contents and neurovasculature of the inguinal canal.
Inguinal ligament (Ligamentum inguinale)

The inguinal ligament (also ligamentum inguinale, arcus inguinalis or Pouparts’s ligament) is a band of connective tissue that extends from the anterior superior iliac spine of the ilium to the pubic tubercle on the pubic bone.

It is formed by the free inferior border of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle which attaches to these two points. The inguinal ligament is closely related to a number of structures and forms the superior boundary of the femoral triangle and contributes to the floor of the inguinal canal in the pelvic region.

It is also a site of attachment for the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the inguinal ligament.

Key facts about the inguinal ligament
Attachments Anterior superior iliac spine, pubic tubercle
Extensions Lacunar ligament, pectineal ligament
Function Attach external oblique muscle to the pelvis, protect structure passing between the pelvis and thigh/external genitalia, forms boundary of femoral triangle and inguinal canal
Relations Iliopsoas, pectineus, femoral artery, femoral vein, femoral nerve, lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh, lymphatics
Clinical notes Inguinal hernia
Contents
  1. Attachments
  2. Function
  3. Relations
  4. Inguinal canal
  5. Clinical notes
  6. Sources
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Attachments

The inguinal ligament is formed by the thickened, reinforced free inferior edge of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle as this attaches to the bones of the pelvis. The superior attachment of the inguinal ligament is on the anterior superior iliac spine of the ilium. It courses obliquely in an inferomedial direction to insert onto the pubic tubercle of the pubic bone. 

There are also a number of smaller ligaments formed from the extension of the medial end of the inguinal ligament. These reinforce the attachment of the inguinal ligament to the pubis. The lacunar ligament is a crescent shaped ligament that extends from the medial end of the inguinal ligament to the pecten pubis on the superior ramus of the pubic bone. A further extension of these fibres along the pecten pubis and pelvic brim forms the pectineal or Cooper’s ligament.

How comfortable are you with the bony attachments of the inguinal ligament? Memorize them easily, visualize them and cement the information long-term using Kenhub's skeletal system quizzes!

Function

The function of the inguinal ligament is to anchor the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle to the pelvis. It also protects a number of important structures as they pass from the pelvic cavity into the thigh and inguinal canal. Additionally, the inguinal ligament forms the base of the femoral triangle and the floor of the inguinal canal.

For more information about the inguinal canal, including the inguinal ligament, take a look below:

Relations

As the inguinal ligament extends between its points of attachment, it crosses anterior to a number of structures that are passing between the pelvis and thigh. These are the iliopsoas and pectineus muscles, the femoral nerve, the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh and inguinal lymph nodes. The inguinal ligament is also the point where the external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery and the femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein.

Inguinal canal

The inguinal canal is a slit-like passage connecting the abdominal cavity to structures located in the groin. The medial half of the inguinal ligament forms the floor of the canal. There is an opening on either end of the canal allowing the entry and exit of the structures passing through.

The deep inguinal ring lies superior to the inguinal ligament at the mid-inguinal point. The superficial inguinal ring is located superior and slightly lateral to the pubic tubercle. Passing through the inguinal canal are the spermatic cord (males only), the round ligament of the uterus (females only), the ilioinguinal nerve and the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve.

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