[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Inguinal ligament [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Inguinal ligament The inguinal ligament is a band along the groin crease; the main nerves and vessels of the thigh pass under it. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=inguinal_lig&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A band running along the groin crease, from the bony point at the front of the [hip bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hip-bone/) to the pubic bone. ## What it does Forms the floor of the inguinal canal. The femoral nerve, artery and vein pass under it into the thigh. ## Key points - Inguinal hernias appear above and medial to the pubic tubercle; femoral hernias below and lateral to it - Femoral pulse at the midinguinal point (halfway from ASIS to [pubic symphysis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pubic-symphysis/)); the deep inguinal ring lies above the midpoint of the ligament - Inferior border of the Hesselbach triangle, with the inferior [epigastric vessels](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-epigastric-artery/) and the [rectus sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectus-sheath/): the site of direct hernias ## Key facts **Attaches** Anterior superior iliac [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) to pubic tubercle; rolled lower border of [external oblique](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-abdominal-oblique-muscle/) aponeurosis **Function** Floor of inguinal canal; femoral vessels, femoral nerve and iliopsoas pass beneath it into thigh ## Relations **Course** From the ASIS to the pubic tubercle, curving down toward the thigh; medially it turns back as the lacunar ligament and continues along the pecten as the pectineal (Cooper) ligament **Above** [Inguinal canal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-canal/), its gutter carrying the [spermatic cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spermatic-cord/) or round ligament; the deep ring above its midpoint **Below** Laterally the muscular space (iliopsoas, [femoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-nerve/), [lateral femoral cutaneous nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-femoral-cutaneous-nerve/)); medially the femoral sheath with the [femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/), vein and canal **Medial** Lacunar ligament, the medial border of the femoral ring ## How to find it Along a line from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle, slightly above the groin crease; the pubic tubercle is found by following the [adductor longus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-adductor-longus/) up to the pubis. ## Examination - Deep ring occlusion test: pressure over the deep ring while the person coughs; a hernia held back suggests indirect, one still bulging suggests direct (limited accuracy) ## On imaging Ultrasound is the main test for a groin lump: the ligament is followed from the ASIS to the pubic tubercle. A hernia above it, with Valsalva, is inguinal (lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels if indirect, medial if direct); below it and medial to the [femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/), femoral. CT shows the same in complex cases. Radiographs only show its bony ends. ## Common problems - Inguinal and femoral hernias occur next to it. ## Clinical notes - Femoral artery puncture is made below the ligament, over the femoral head; a puncture above it risks retroperitoneal bleeding - The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes under or through it near the ASIS; compression there causes meralgia paresthetica - Open mesh hernia repair sutures the lower edge of the mesh to the shelving edge of the ligament ## Development It is the rolled-under lower edge of the external oblique aponeurosis. The inguinal canal above it forms when the gubernaculum leads the [testis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testis/) (or, in females, the round ligament) through the abdominal wall behind a pouch of [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/), the processus vaginalis; a processus that stays open underlies the indirect inguinal hernia. ## Memory aid NAVEL from lateral to medial below the ligament: Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics (femoral canal). ## Related conditions - [Inguinal hernia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/inguinal-hernia/) - [Femoral hernia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/femoral-hernia/) - [Meralgia paresthetica](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/meralgia-paresthetica/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## How are inguinal and femoral hernias distinguished in relation to the pubic tubercle? Inguinal hernias appear above and medial to the pubic tubercle; femoral hernias below and lateral to it. ## What is the order of structures beneath the inguinal ligament, from lateral to medial? NAVEL: Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics (femoral canal). ## Why is femoral artery puncture made below the inguinal ligament? A puncture above the inguinal ligament risks retroperitoneal bleeding; the safe site is below it, over the femoral head. ## Which nerve passes under or through the inguinal ligament near the ASIS and causes meralgia paresthetica when compressed? The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** ligamentum inguinale TA2 2365 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Ligamento inguinal **English (TA2)** Inguinal ligament **Also called** Poupart's ligament · lateral ligament of Vesalius · Vesalius' ligament · fallopian ligament ## Related - [Femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/) - [Femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/) - [Femoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-nerve/) - [Anterior cutaneous nerves of the thigh](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-cutaneous-branches-of-femoral-nerve/) - [Iliopsoas fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/iliopsoas-fascia/) - [Hip bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hip-bone/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Inguinal Ligament (Crural Ligament. Poupart Ligament)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542321/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/