Location and anatomy
The inguinal ligament is stretched between the anterior superior iliac spine (spina iliaca anterior superior) and the pubic tubercle (tuberculum pubicum). Its length ranges from 12 to 16 cm.
Anatomically, it is a thickened and rolled-under lower margin of the broad flat tendon (aponeurosis) of the external oblique abdominal muscle (m. obliquus abdominis externus).
In its medial part, near the pubic tubercle, the ligament continues into the lacunar ligament (lig. lacunare). The transverse abdominal muscle (m. transversus abdominis) originates from the lateral third of the inguinal ligament.
Participation in canal formation
The ligament is a structure involved in the formation of the canals of the inguinal region:
- Inguinal canal (canalis inguinalis): the inguinal ligament forms its floor (inferior wall). The oblique slit-like canal itself lies 1.0–1.5 cm superior and parallel to the ligament. The superficial inguinal ring is located above the medial part of the ligament, formed by the divergence of the aponeurosis fibers into lateral (attached to the pubic tubercle) and medial (attached to the pubic symphysis) crura.
- Femoral canal (canalis femoralis): the ligament forms the anterior boundary of the femoral ring. The superficial layer of the fascia lata is stretched between the inguinal ligament and the upper horn of the saphenous opening, forming the anterior wall of the femoral canal.
What passes beneath the inguinal ligament?
- External iliac artery and vein (a. et v. iliacae externae) pass beneath the inguinal ligament and become the femoral vessels (a. et v. femorales). The femoral vein is located in the vascular lacuna medial to the artery.
- Femoral nerve (n. femoralis) emerges onto the thigh lateral to the vessels.
- Lymphatic system: directly inferior to the inguinal ligament, in the most medial part of the vascular lacuna, medial to the femoral vein, lies the largest deep inguinal lymph node — Rosenmüller's node (Cloquet's node).
Additionally: in the region of the inguinal ligament, several superficial veins drain into the femoral or great saphenous vein, including the superficial epigastric, superficial external pudendal, and superficial circumflex iliac veins.
Clinical significance
- Hernia surgery (Bassini repair): during surgical treatment of femoral hernias, the inguinal ligament is retracted upward, and the femoral vein is retracted laterally. Then, using deep sutures, the inguinal ligament is sutured to the pectineal ligament (Cooper's ligament).
- Purulent surgery: when purulent collections spread from the anterior "weak spot" of the thigh along the course of the iliopsoas muscle, the swelling takes an hourglass shape. The constriction is formed by the unyielding inguinal ligament.
- Topical diagnosis in neurology: in a transverse spinal cord lesion at the level of L1, the upper boundary of sensory loss runs along the inguinal fold (ligamentum inguinale) and the upper part of the thighs.
Class and exam questions
Which wall of the inguinal canal is formed by the inguinal ligament?
It forms the floor (inferior wall) of the inguinal canal.
The inguinal ligament is a continuation of which structure?
It is the thickened and rolled-under lower margin of the aponeurosis of the external oblique abdominal muscle.
How do the names of the iliac vessels change after passing beneath the ligament?
The external iliac artery and vein, after passing beneath the inguinal ligament, become the femoral artery and vein.
What else to study on this topic
- Inguinal canal (canalis inguinalis)
- Femoral canal (canalis femoralis)
- External oblique abdominal muscle (m. obliquus abdominis externus)
- Vascular and muscular lacunae
Study the complete topic in the Anatomy course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on "Inguinal ligament" and 1,363 other subject pages
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 295 video lessons by subject
Other topics in the "Anatomical Structures" section
Free video lessons: AnatomyShort lessons with study notes — no registration required.
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.