Hesselbach's triangle defines the direct inguinal hernia zone. Which are its three boundaries?

• A Inferior epigastric artery (lateral), Cooper's ligament (inferior), and linea semilunaris (medial)
• B Deep inguinal ring (lateral), inguinal ligament (inferior), and medial umbilical ligament (medial)
• C Conjoint tendon (superior), inguinal ligament (inferior), and pubic tubercle (medial)
• D Inferior epigastric artery (lateral), inguinal ligament (inferior), and lateral border of rectus abdominis (medial) ✓

Explanation

Hesselbach's (inguinal) triangle boundaries: (1) lateral — inferior epigastric artery; (2) inferior — inguinal ligament (Poupart's ligament); (3) medial — lateral border of the rectus abdominis (linea semilunaris). Direct inguinal hernias protrude through a weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal within this triangle, medial to the inferior epigastric artery. Indirect hernias emerge lateral to the inferior epigastric artery through the deep inguinal ring. This distinction is the basis of the surgical separation of hernia types and has implications for repair techniques (mesh placement in the myopectineal orifice).

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.