Groin

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Left and right inguinal regions shown in lower part of diagram Blausen 0006 AbdominopelvicRegions.png
Left and right inguinal regions shown in lower part of diagram

In human anatomy, the groin, also known as the inguinal region or iliac region, [1] is the junctional area between the torso and the thigh. [2] The groin is at the front of the body on either side of the pubic tubercle, where the lower part of the abdominal wall meets the thigh. [3] [1] A fold or crease is formed at this junction known as the inguinal groove, or crease. This is also the area of the medial compartment of the thigh that contains attachments of the adductor muscles of the hip or the groin muscles. The groin is the common site for a hernia.

Contents

Gross anatomy

Where the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall meets the thigh, a crease is formed known as the inguinal groove or crease. The junction is the area of the medial compartment of the thigh that contains the attachments of the adductor muscles of the hip, also known as the groin muscles.

The adductor muscles that make up the groin consist of the adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus. [4] These groin muscles adduct the thigh (bring the thigh and knee closer to the midline).

The groin is innervated by branches of the lumbar plexus. The pectineus muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve, and the hamstring portion of adductor magnus is innervated by the tibial nerve. [5]

In the groin, underneath the skin, there are three to five deep inguinal lymph nodes that play a role in the immune system. These can be swollen due to certain diseases, the most common one being a simple infection, and, less likely, from cancer. A chain of superficial inguinal lymph nodes drain to the deep nodes.

There are two depressions called fossae in an area called the inguinal triangle—the lateral inguinal fossa and the medial inguinal fossa.

The inguinal ligament runs from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine, and its anatomy is very important for hernia operations.

Clinical significance

A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful strain of the hip adductor muscles. [6] This type of injury is related to risk factors including overuse and previous injury. [7] [8] [9]

An inguinal hernia is a hernia of the groin and can be either a direct hernia, or an indirect hernia according to its particular location. Sometimes a direct hernia may be present with an indirect hernia on the same side when it is known as a saddlebag hernia.

Like other flexion surfaces of large joints (popliteal fossa, armpit, cubital fossa and essentially the anterior part of the neck), it is an area where blood vessels and nerves pass relatively superficially, and with an increased amount of lymph nodes.

In a venography procedure, the groin is the preferred site for incisions to enter a catheter into the vascular system.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human leg</span> Lower extremity or limb of the human body (foot, lower leg, thigh and hip)

The leg is the entire lower limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh or sometimes even the hip or buttock region. The major bones of the leg are the femur, tibia, and adjacent fibula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral artery</span> Large artery in the thigh

The femoral artery is a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg. The femoral artery gives off the deep femoral artery and descends along the anteromedial part of the thigh in the femoral triangle. It enters and passes through the adductor canal, and becomes the popliteal artery as it passes through the adductor hiatus in the adductor magnus near the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the thigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral triangle</span> Anatomical region of the thigh

The femoral triangle is an anatomical region of the upper third of the thigh. It is a subfascial space which appears as a triangular depression below the inguinal ligament when the thigh is flexed, abducted and laterally rotated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inguinal canal</span> Human abdominal anatomy

The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall on each side of the body, which in males, convey the spermatic cords and in females, the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inguinal lymph nodes</span> Lymph nodes in the human groin

Inguinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes in the groin. They are situated in the femoral triangle of the inguinal region. They are subdivided into two groups: the superficial inguinal lymph nodes and deep inguinal lymph nodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pectineus muscle</span> Adductor of the thigh

The pectineus muscle is a flat, quadrangular muscle, situated at the anterior (front) part of the upper and medial (inner) aspect of the thigh. The pectineus muscle is the most anterior adductor of the hip. The muscle's primary action is hip flexion; it also produces adduction and internal rotation of the hip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inguinal ligament</span> Band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine

The inguinal ligament, also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may develop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adductor longus muscle</span> Skeletal muscle located in the thigh

In the human body, the adductor longus is a skeletal muscle located in the thigh. One of the adductor muscles of the hip, its main function is to adduct the thigh and it is innervated by the obturator nerve. It forms the medial wall of the femoral triangle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adductor magnus muscle</span> Muscle in the thigh

The adductor magnus is a large triangular muscle, situated on the medial side of the thigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gracilis muscle</span> Most superficial muscle on the medial side of the thigh

The gracilis muscle is the most superficial muscle on the medial side of the thigh. It is thin and flattened, broad above, narrow and tapering below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliopsoas</span> Joined psoas and iliacus muscles of the hip and thigh

The iliopsoas muscle refers to the joined psoas major and the iliacus muscles. The two muscles are separate in the abdomen, but usually merge in the thigh. They are usually given the common name iliopsoas. The iliopsoas muscle joins to the femur at the lesser trochanter. It acts as the strongest flexor of the hip.

Athletic pubalgia, also called sports hernia, core injury, hockey hernia, hockey groin, Gilmore's groin, or groin disruption, is a medical condition of the pubic joint affecting athletes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adductor muscles of the hip</span> Group of muscles

The adductor muscles of the hip are a group of muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh mostly used for bringing the thighs together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar plexus</span> Web of nerves in the lower spine

The lumbar plexus is a web of nerves in the lumbar region of the body which forms part of the larger lumbosacral plexus. It is formed by the divisions of the first four lumbar nerves (L1-L4) and from contributions of the subcostal nerve (T12), which is the last thoracic nerve. Additionally, the ventral rami of the fourth lumbar nerve pass communicating branches, the lumbosacral trunk, to the sacral plexus. The nerves of the lumbar plexus pass in front of the hip joint and mainly support the anterior part of the thigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pubis (bone)</span> Most forward-facing of the three main regions making up the os coxa

In vertebrates, the pubis or pubic bone forms the lower and anterior part of each side of the hip bone. The pubis is the most forward-facing of the three bones that make up the hip bone. The left and right pubic bones are each made up of three sections; a superior ramus, an inferior ramus, and a body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obturator artery</span>

The obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that passes antero-inferiorly on the lateral wall of the pelvis, to the upper part of the obturator foramen, and, escaping from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal, it divides into an anterior branch and a posterior branch.

In human anatomy, the inguinal region refers to either the groin or the lower lateral regions of the abdomen. It may also refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral canal</span> Anatomy of the leg

The femoral canal is the medial compartment of the three compartments of the femoral sheath. It is conical in shape. The femoral canal contains lymphatic vessels, and adipose and loose connective tissue, as well as - sometimes - a deep inguinal lymph node. The function of the femoral canal is to accommodate the distension of the femoral vein when venous return from the leg is increased or temporarily restricted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aponeurosis of the abdominal external oblique muscle</span> Membranous structure

The aponeurosis of the abdominal external oblique muscle is a thin but strong membranous structure, the fibers of which are directed downward and medially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

References

  1. 1 2 "Inguinal Region Anatomy: Overview, Gross Anatomy, Pathophysiological Variants". 19 July 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. Moore, Keith L.; Dalley, Arthur F.; Agur, Anne M. R. (2018). Clinically oriented anatomy (Eighth ed.). Philadelphia Baltimore New York London Buenos Aires Hong Kong Sydney Tokyo: Wolters Kluwer. p. 718. ISBN   9781496347213.
  3. "WebMB.com: Groin problems and injuries" . Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  4. Kenneth S. Saladin (2010). Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function (5th ed.). McGraw Hill. OCLC   743254985.
  5. "GetBodySmart.com". 19 September 2017.
  6. "Amemmbwa". Archived from the original on March 19, 2006. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  7. Whittaker, Jackie L.; Small, Claire; Maffey, Lorrie; Emery, Carolyn A. (2015-06-01). "Risk factors for groin injury in sport: an updated systematic review". British Journal of Sports Medicine. 49 (12): 803–809. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094287. ISSN   0306-3674. PMID   25833903.
  8. Bourne, Matthew N.; Williams, Morgan; Jackson, Jeremy; Williams, Kate L.; Timmins, Ryan G.; Pizzari, Tania (2020-04-30). "Preseason Hip/Groin Strength and HAGOS Scores Are Associated With Subsequent Injury in Professional Male Soccer Players". Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 50 (5): 234–242. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9022. ISSN   0190-6011.
  9. Quintana-Cepedal, Marcos; Calle, Omar de la; Crespo, Irene; Medina-Sánchez, María; Valle, Miguel del; Olmedillas, Hugo (2024-01-01). "The effect of match congestion on hip adductor squeeze strength in youth rink hockey players". Apunts Sports Medicine. 59 (221): 100429. doi: 10.1016/j.apunsm.2023.100429 . ISSN   2666-5069.