1 of 11

Anatomy of the groin�

MONAMA LI

2 of 11

SURFACE & FASCIAL LAYERS (Superficial → Deep)

  • Skin & Superficial Fascia
  • Camper’s fascia (fatty)
  • Scarpa’s fascia (membranous)
    • Continues into:
      • Dartos (scrotum)
      • Colles’ fascia (perineum)
      • Fascia lata (thigh

​

3 of 11

ANTEROLATERAL ABDOMINAL WALL MUSCLES

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Forms / contributes

Relationship to canals

External oblique

Ribs 5–12

Linea alba, pubic tubercle, iliac crest

Inguinal ligament, superficial ring

Anterior wall of inguinal canal; roof of femoral canal

Internal oblique

Iliac crest, inguinal ligament

Lower ribs, linea alba

Cremaster, conjoint tendon

Roof of inguinal canal; strengthens anterior wall laterally

Transversus abdominis

Costal cartilages 7–12, iliac crest

Linea alba, pubic crest

Conjoint tendon

Roof & posterior wall (medial) of inguinal canal

Conjoint tendon (IO+TA)

—

Pubic crest, pectineal line

Posterior wall reinforcement

Weakness → direct inguinal hernia

4 of 11

Inguinal canal

5 of 11

MYOPECTINEAL ORIFICE (FRUCHAUD)

​

All groin hernias occur through this orifice

Borders

  • Superior: IO + TA
  • Inferior: Pectineus muscle
  • Medial: Rectus sheath
  • Lateral: Iliopsoas

​

6 of 11

Femoral region muscles

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Relationship to femoral canal

Pectineus

Superior pubic ramus

Pectineal line of femur

Forms floor; femoral hernia lies on it

Iliopsoas

Lumbar spine & iliac fossa

Lesser trochanter

Lateral to femoral vessels

Sartorius

ASIS

Medial tibia

Lateral boundary of femoral triangle

Adductor longus

Pubic body

Linea aspera

Medial boundary of femoral triangle

7 of 11

Femoral triangle

  • Boundaries of Femoral Triangle
  • Superior: Inguinal ligament
  • Lateral: Sartorius
  • Medial: Adductor longus

​

8 of 11

FEMORAL TRIANGLE — CONTENTS

9 of 11

Femoral canal

Boundary

Structure

Anterior

Inguinal ligament

Posterior

Pectineal ligament (Cooper’s ligament)

Medial

Lacunar ligament

Lateral

Femoral vein

Content

Clinical note

Lymphatics

Drainage from lower limb

Cloquet (Rosenmüller) node

Enlarged in malignancy

Loose fat

Allows venous expansion

10 of 11

OBTURATOR MUSCLE GROUP

  • Obturator Canal
  • Formed by obturator membrane + pubic bone
  • Contents: nerve, artery, vein

​

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Relation to obturator canal

Obturator externus

Obturator membrane

Trochanteric fossa

Lies inferior to canal

Adductor longus

Pubis

Linea aspera

Superficial landmark

Adductor brevis

Inferior pubic ramus

Linea aspera

Deep to adductor longus

Gracilis

Pubic symphysis

Medial tibia

Medial thigh muscle

11 of 11

References

  • Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy Frank H. Netter, M
  • CORE ANATOMY TEXTBOOKS Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice Standring S, et al.Elsevier, latest edition

​