Medial crus of superficial inguinal ring

The superficial inguinal ring (Subcutaneous Inguinal Ring; external abdominal ring) is an interval in the aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus, just above and lateral to the crest of the pubis.

The aperture is oblique in direction, somewhat triangular in form, and corresponds with the course of the fibers of the aponeurosis.

It usually measures from base to apex about 2.5 cm., and transversely about 1.25 cm.

It is bounded below by the crest of the pubis; on either side by the margins of the opening in the aponeurosis, which are called the crura of the ring; and above, by a series of curved intercrural fibers.

• The lateral crus (inferior crus; external pillar) is the stronger and is formed by that portion of the inguinal ligament which is inserted into the pubic tubercle; it is curved so as to form a kind of groove, upon which, in the male, the spermatic cord rests.
• The medial crus (superior crus; internal pillar) is a broad, thin, flat band, attached to the front of the symphysis pubis and interlacing with its fellow of the opposite side.

The subcutaneous inguinal ring gives passage to the spermatic cord and ilioinguinal nerve in the male, and to the round ligament of the uterus and the ilioinguinal nerve in the female; it is much larger in men than in women, on account of the large size of the spermatic cord.