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Dissection of male inguinal region and spermatic cord

Superficial inguinal ring; inguinal ligament; femoral sheath

Image #135-6

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Dissection of male inguinal region and spermatic cord

Superficial inguinal ring; inguinal ligament; femoral sheath

The crura of the superficial inguinal ring (4) may be seen on either side of the spermatic cord. Above the level at which the cord emerges through the superficial ring the crura are covered by fibres of the intercrural fascia. Below the inguinal ligament the femoral sheath (13) has been exposed by removing the superficial inguinal lymph nodes, the cribriform fascia and part of the fascia lata which bounds the saphenous opening. The inferior part of the falciform margin of this opening has been retained (17).

1 .	Inguinal ligament
2 .	Location of femoral canal (note lymphatic vessels penetrating femoral sheath in this area)
3 .	Intercrural fibers
4 .	Superficial inguinal ring (left pointer, medial crus; right pointer, lateral crus)
5 .	Ilioinguinal nerve (cut off)
6 .	Spermatic cord (external spermatic fascia removed; cremasteric fascia exposed)
7 .	Pectineus muscle (covered by fascia)
8 .	Adductor longus muscle (covered by fascia lata)
9 .	Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
10 .	Iliopsoas muscle (covered by iliopsoas fascia)
11 .	Anterior cutaneous branches femoral nerve
12 .	Superficial circumflex iliac artery
13 .	Femoral sheath
14 .	Sartorius muscle (covered by fascia lata)
15 .	Great saphenous vein (cut off)
16 .	Deep inguinal lymph node
17 .	Falciform margin (inferior horn)
18 .	Fascia lata