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Inguinal Canal

The inguinal canal is a natural passage or opening through the muscles of the abdominal (belly) 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. (7.6 cm) in adults.

The inguinal canal usually closes before a baby is born or by age 2. But the canal may stay open into adulthood. If the canal is open, tissue from inside the abdomen may bulge through the canal, causing an indirect inguinal hernia.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery
Last Revised April 26, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 26, 2011
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