[Plate 255, Femoral Sheath and Inguinal Canal]Oblique canal, approximately 4 cm long at the inferior margin of the anterior abdominal wall
Parallel and superior to the medial half of the inguinal ligament
Deep inguinal ring: internal entrance to canal
Entrance to the canal through the transversalis fascia.
Located 1.25 cm superior to the midpoint of the inguinal ligament
Occurs lateral to the epigastric vessels
Superficial ring: external exit of the canal
Exit through the external oblique aponeurosis
Located superolateral to the pubic tubercle
Boundaries:
Anterior wall: external oblique aponeurosis (and internal oblique laterally)
Posterior wall
Transversalis fascia laterally
Internal oblique and conjoint tendon (joint insertion of aponeuroses of internal oblique and transverses abdominus) medially
Roof: arching fibers of internal oblique
Floor: inguinal ligament, reinforced medially by the lacunar ligament
Contents:
Spermatic cord in men
Round ligament in women (Section 5: Pelvis and Perineum)
Ilioinguinal nerve
Blood and lymphatic vessels