Superficial inguinal ring

Superficial inguinal ring
Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal (superficial inguinal ring labeled as subcutaneous inguinal ring at lower left)
The superficial inguinal ring.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Anulus inguinalis superficialis
TA	A04.5.01.013
FMA	19926
Anatomical terminology []

The superficial inguinal ring (subcutaneous inguinal ring or external inguinal ring) is an anatomical structure in the anterior wall of the mammalian abdomen. It is a triangular opening that forms the exit of the inguinal canal, which houses the ilioinguinal nerve, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and the spermatic cord (in men) or the round ligament (in women). At the other end of the canal, the deep inguinal ring forms the entrance.

It is found within the aponeurosis of the external oblique, immediately above the pubic crest, 1 centimeter above and superolateral to the pubic tubercle. It has the following boundaries—medial crura by pubic crest, lateral crura by pubic tubercle and inferiorly by inguinal ligament.

The superficial ring is palpable under normal conditions. It becomes dilated in a condition called athletic pubalgia. Abdominal contents may protrude through the ring in inguinal hernia.

Diagram of an indirect, scrotal inguinal hernia (median view from the left)

Superficial inguinal ring

Anterior abdominal wall.Intermediate dissection.Anterior view

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)