35.1 Anatomy

We have studied the inguinal canal (Fig. 35.1) for the manipulation of the peripheral nerves (Barral & Croibier 2004). Contained within the canal are the iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, and genitofemoral nerves. Superficial to the canal is the external pudendal artery, arising medially from the femoral artery to enter the saphenous hiatus.

Fig. 35.1 Inguinal canal.

In the inguinal fold, above the superficial inguinal canal, the anterior cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve appears. Caudally and laterally one finds the ilioinguinal nerve, which joins either the round ligament of the uterus or the spermatic cord, accompanied by a small artery.

NB: Although it is fairly easy to penetrate a finger in the male inguinal canal, this is next to impossible in the case of a woman. These techniques apply to men, for the most part. In any case, it seems the effect is greater on the intrainguinal nervous system than on the vascular system.