The inguinal canal

The inguinal canal is the weak area where the inguinal hernia occurs.

It is cylinder shape and created by its walls – muscles tendons and ligaments.

The inguinal canal can be described as a passage with a floor, roof, anterior wall, posterior wall and two rings that close the openings.

The inguinal canal is situated 1cm – 1.5cm above the middle part of the inguinal ligament. Its length is 4 cm.

Inside the canal passes the spermatic cord in males and the round ligament of the uterus in females.

In men the inguinal canal was made by the descended of the testicles as they pass through the abdominal wall forming the scrotum, that is why the canal is broader in men than in women, and inguinal hernia is more common with men.

From the scrotum the spermatic cord transfers the sperms through the canal to the cavity of the lower abdomen through the prostate and into the urethra. On their way the sperms gets more fluids that helps them swim faster and stronger.

The inguinal canal is usually closed tight around the spermatic cord and only sperm can press through directed to the urethra.

Muscles, tendons and fascia keep the canal and also creates it.

When the anterior wall of the canal weakened and the deep inguinal ring gets slightly open, the pressure of the internal organs on this spot makes them intrude through the canal and an inguinal hernia occurs.

So, what is an inguinal hernia?

A hernia occur when an organ from inside the abdominal cavity protrude out of the abdominal cavity trough a weak spot in the abdominal wall.

There are different places that a hernia can occur. Hernia in the umbilical, Epigastric, lumbar, internal, inguinal, incisional, hiatal, and Spigelian

The names of the hernia are given according to the area where they bulge

Umbilical hernia

Hiatal hernia

Epigastric hernia

Groin or Inguinal hernia

This site is dedicated to inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia occurs when there is intra abdominal pressure on an area call the inguinal canal that is a weak spot in the lower abdominal cavity. When the deep inguinal ring which is the opening of the canal doesn’t close the opening due to the pressure being created in the abdomen, the peritoneum or fat tissue that are the layers of the abdominal wall or part of the small intestine can pass into the canal. In that stage the bulge can be seen and felt in the groin area. When the pressure in the abdominal cavity rises the protrusion will get bigger.

Without treatment the hernia will get wider and will pass through the canal and through the other side of it – the superficial inguinal ring.

Inguinal hernia occur when the inguinal canal area is weakened, usually from within.