OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical differences of fetus and adults concerning the inguinal region of male gender, as well as the presence of possible morphological basis for the higher incidence of inguinal hernias in the right side in both groups. METHODS: Twenty human stillborn fetuses and twenty in natura adult male corpses were dissected in order to compare the length of the inguinal canals, the longer diameter of the deep and superficial inguinal rings in both sides of each corpse, and the presence or not of overlap between the deep and superficial rings. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in both groups regarding the measures of the deep and the superficial rings, as well as the inguinal canals, when in comparison to the respective contralateral anatomical structures of each specimen. Nevertheless, there was a statistically significant difference between the diameter of homolateral inguinal rings, once the superficial ring was longer than the deep ring in fetus (p=0.0002) and adult corpses (p<0.0001). The ratio inguinal canal/height showed to be statistically different between both groups (p<0.0001), since the inguinal canal in fetus is shorter than in adults. It was also observed overlapping of homolateral superficial and deeper inguinal rings in two fetuses, but none in adults. CONCLUSION: Morphometric analysis of the inguinal canals and rings does not justify the higher incidence of hernias in the right side in the male gender.
Inguinal canal; Inguinal hernia; Regional anatomy; Fetus
