CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Radiol Imaging 2013; 23(04): 391-395
DOI: 10.4103/0971-3026.125586
Abdominal Radiology

The inguinal and femoral canals: A practical step-by-step approach to accurate sonographic assessment

Philip Yoong
Department of Radiology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY, UK
,
Stephen Duffy
Department of Radiology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY, UK
,
Thomas J Marshall
Department of Radiology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY, UK
› Author Affiliations
Financial support and sponsorship Nil.

Abstract

Ultrasonography (USG) is an accepted and reliable tool for the assessment of groin hernias.However, USG of the groin is operator dependent and challenging. The anatomy of this region is complex and the normal sonographic findings can be difficult to interpret. We describe the relevant normal anatomy of the groin relating to inguinal and femoral hernias, and describe a straightforward, reliable technique for identifying and assessing the integrity of the inguinal and femoral canals. The inferior epigastric vessels are a critical landmark for assessment of the inguinal canal and deep inguinal ring.



Publication History

Article published online:
30 July 2021

© 2013. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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