Inguinal ligament

Inguinal ligament

Inguinal ligament is labeled at bottom right.

Structures passing behind the inguinal ligament.
Details
Latin Ligamentum inguinale
From anterior superior iliac spine
To pubic tubercle
Identifiers
Gray's p.411
TA A04.5.01.009
FMA 19855
Anatomical terminology

The inguinal ligament (Poupart's ligament) is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.

Structure

It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may develop.

The inguinal (crural) ligament runs from the anterior superior iliac spine of the ilium to the pubic tubercle of the pubic bone. It is formed by the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis and is continuous with the fascia lata of the thigh.

There is some dispute over the attachments.[1]

Structures that pass deep to the inguinal ligament include:

The midpoint of inguinal ligament is midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic tubercle.

Function

The ligament serves to contain soft tissues as they course anteriorly from the trunk to the lower extremity. This structure demarcates the superior border of the femoral triangle.[2] It demarcates the inferior border of the inguinal triangle.

History

It is also referred to as Poupart's ligament, because François Poupart gave it relevance in relation to hernial repair, calling it "the suspender of the abdomen" (French: "le suspenseur de l'abdomen"). It is sometimes termed the Fallopian ligament. Colles' ligament is reflex ligament not inguinal ligament.[3][4]

Additional images

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inguinal ligament.
This article uses anatomical terminology; for an overview, see anatomical terminology.

References

  1. Acland RD (January 2008). "The inguinal ligament and its lateral attachments: correcting an anatomical error". Clin Anat 21 (1): 55–61. doi:10.1002/ca.20579. PMID 18092366.
  2. Ryan, Jeffrey M.; Starkey, Chad (2002). Evaluation of orthopedic and athletic injuries. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co. ISBN 0-8036-0791-1.
  3. synd/2633 at Who Named It?
  4. F. Poupart. Chirurgie complète. Paris, 1695.

External links