A 40-year-old man presents with a reducible inguinal hernia. The surgeon identifies that the hernia sac protrudes through the floor of the inguinal canal, bounded medially by the rectus abdominis, inferiorly by the inguinal ligament, and laterally by the inferior epigastric vessels. Through which anatomical space is this hernia protruding?

• A Deep inguinal ring
• B Superficial inguinal ring
• C Femoral canal
• D Hesselbach's triangle ✓

Explanation

Hesselbach's triangle is the anatomical area bounded medially by the lateral border of rectus abdominis, laterally by the inferior epigastric vessels, and inferiorly by the inguinal ligament. Direct inguinal hernias protrude through this space. The deep inguinal ring lies lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels, so option A is incorrect. The femoral canal is below the inguinal ligament and medial to the femoral vein, so option C is wrong.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.