II. Definitions

  1. Hesselbach's Triangle
    1. Anatomical triangle used to define Inguinal Hernias

III. Anatomy: Hesselbach's Triangle (Inguinal Triangle, margins mnemonic - RIP)

  1. Hesselbach's Triangle
    1. Rectus Muscle lateral margin (medial border)
    2. Inferior epigastric vessels (supero-lateral border)
    3. Inguinal ligament or Poupart's ligament (infero-lateral border)
  2. Image: Inferior Epigastric vessels in relation to Inguinal Hernia
    1. giArteryGrayBB1227.gifLewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  3. Resources
    1. Wikipedia (Inguinal Triangle)
      1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inguinal_triangle

IV. Interpretation

  1. Indirect Inguinal Hernia (out of Hesselbach's Triangle)
    1. Enters Inguinal Canal lateral to inferior epigastrics
    2. Exits Inguinal Canal inferior to inguinal ligament
  2. Direct Inguinal Hernia (within Hesselbach's Triangle)
    1. Breaches posterior inguinal wall
    2. Passes medial to inferior epigastric vessels

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