Inguinal triangle explained

Inguinal triangle
Latin:	trigonum inguinale

In human anatomy, the inguinal triangle is a region of the abdominal wall. It is also known by the eponym Hesselbach's triangle, after Franz Kaspar Hesselbach.

Structure

It is defined by the following structures:

• Medial border: Lateral margin of the rectus sheath.^[1]
• Superolateral border: Inferior epigastric vessels.
• Inferior border: Inguinal ligament.

This can be remembered by the mnemonic RIP (Rectus sheath (medial), Inferior epigastric artery (lateral), Poupart's ligament (inguinal ligament, inferior).

Clinical significance

The inguinal triangle contains a depression referred to as the medial inguinal fossa, through which direct inguinal hernias protrude through the abdominal wall.^[2]

History

The inguinal triangle is also known as Hesselbach's triangle, after Franz Kaspar Hesselbach.

See also

• Terms for anatomical location
• Inguinal hernia surgery

References

1. Book: Courtney M. Townsend Jr., MD, R. Daniel Beauchamp, MD, B. Mark Evers, MD and Kenneth L. Mattox, MD . Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 18th . 2008 . Elsevier . 978-1-4160-5233-3 . Ch.43.
2. MedNote. Red Anatomy. URL: http://www.mednote.co.kr/Rednote/RedAnatom.htm . Accessed December 15, 2005.