Inguinal falx
Falx inguinalis
- Latin synonym: Tendo conjunctivus
- Synonym: Conjoint tendon
- Eponym: Henle's ligament
- Related terms: Inguinal falx; Conjoint tendon
Definition
The inguinal falx, also known as the conjoint tendon or falx aponeurotica inguinalis, is a fibrous aponeurotic structure formed by the fusion of the lower fibres of the internal abdominal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. The lower fibres of these muscles arch superior to the inguinal canal from lateral to medial and pass posteriorly to lie behind the medial part of the canal. Their combined aponeurotic fibres insert into the pubic crest and pecten pubis, forming the conjoint tendon (or inguinal falx), which reinforces the medial portion of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal.
The inguinal falx (or conjoint tendon) plays an important role in strengthening the inguinal region and resisting increases in intraabdominal pressure. Clinically, weakness of this structure may contribute to the development of direct inguinal hernias, which protrude through the posterior wall of the inguinal canal within Hesselbachs triangle.
References
Jiang J, Koay J. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Conjoint Tendon (Inguinal Aponeurotic Falx) [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549772/
