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Anatomy of the Groin

Superficial Structures of the Groin

The fascia lata is the deep fascia of the thigh and encloses the muscles and forms the outer limit of the fascial compartments. Below the inguinal ligament, the saphenous opening (latin: hiatus saphenus) enables superficial vessels to run to/from the femoral vessels [Fig. superficial structure of the groin]:

• Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (latin: N. cutaneous femoris lateralis) (1)
• Rami femoralis of the genitofemoral nerve (2)
• Accessory saphenous vein (V. saphena accessoria) (3)
• Great saphenous vein (latin: V. saphena magna) (4)
• External pudendal vessel (artery and vein) (5)
• Superficial epigastric vessels (artery and vein) (7)
• Superficial iliac circumflex vessel (artery and vein) (8 )

Superficial anatomy of the groin: Numbers see text. Fig. modified from Gray’s Anatomy, Lea and Febinger 1918, Philadelphia, USA.

Deep Compartments of the Groin and Inguinal Ligament

The inguinal ligament runs from anterior superior iliac spine (lateral) to the pubic tubercle (medial). The inguinal ligament is attached cranially (and formed) to the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis. The ligament is attached caudally and continuous with the fascia lata of the thigh. Several major structures pass under the inguinal ligament on theirs way to the thigh [Fig. inguinal ligament], from lateral to medial:

• Muscular lacuna (latin: lacuna musculorum): lateral compartment under the inguinal ligament. The iliopectineus arc separates the muscular from the vascular lacuna.
  • lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (latin: N. cutaneus femoris lateralis)
  • iliopsoas muscle
  • femoral nerve
• Vascular lacuna (latin: lacuna vasculorum):
  • femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve
  • femoral artery
  • femoral vein
  • lymph vessels and lymph nodes (e.g., Cloquet node also named Rosenmüller node)

Inguinal ligament with vascular and muscular lacuna of the right side: horizontal cross-section along the inguinal ligament. Ncfl.: N. cutaneus femoris lateralis, N. fem.: Nervus femoralis, A. fem.: Arteria femoralis, V. fem.: Vena femoralis, Lig. lac.: Ligamentum lacunare. Fig. modified from Gray’s Anatomy, Lea and Febinger 1918, Philadelphia, USA.

Deep groin anatomy: Fig. modified from Gray’s Anatomy, Lea and Febinger 1918, Philadelphia, USA.

References

  Deutsche Version: Anatomie der Leiste