Inguinal canal
The inguinal canal is a natural passage or opening through the muscles of the abdominal wall. Before males are born, the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum through the inguinal canal; in females, a ligament passes through the canal to the large folds of skin (labia) surrounding the vagina.
The inguinal canal varies in length, depending on a person's age. It can be up to 3 in. in adults.
The inguinal canal usually closes before a baby is born or by age 2. However, the canal may remain open into adulthood. If the canal is open, tissue from inside the abdomen may bulge through the canal, causing an indirect inguinal hernia.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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