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The iliopubic tract: an important anatomical landmark in surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1999

LAURENCE S. G. TEOH
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
GUY HINGSTON
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
SAAD AL-ALI
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
BRENDA DAWSON
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
JOHN A. WINDSOR
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract

A band of fascial thickening, termed the iliopubic tract, lies on the posterior aspect of the inguinal region and has been described in the surgical literature as playing an important role during herniorraphy. This study was undertaken to examine the gross and microscopic anatomy of the iliopubic tract in 12 cadavers. The results confirmed that the iliopubic tract can be readily identified as a thickening of the transversalis fascia running deep and parallel to the inguinal ligament. It attaches to the superomedial part of the pubic bone medially, but laterally its fibres fan out within the fascia transversalis and fascia iliaca without bony attachment to the iliac spines. In contrast to the inguinal ligament, the histological analysis of the iliopubic tract shows a high elastin to collagen ratio. The functional signficance of this structure merits further study, but there is no doubt that it is important in many approaches to inguinal herniorraphy. For this reason it is considered that the iliopubic tract deserves greater emphasis in the anatomy teaching of the inguinal region.

Type
Short Report
Copyright
© Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1999

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