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Glite Dictionary
inguinal canal

inguinal canal

8.1
A narrow passage in the lower belly that lets the testicles or a band of tissue pass through
  • noun
  • /ˈɪŋɡwɪnəl kəˈnæl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : canal inguinal
  • During fetal development, the testes descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum.

Examples

  • A hernia may occur when tissue pushes through the inguinal canal.

  • The surgeon examined the patient's inguinal canal for any signs of abnormal swelling.

  • The inguinal canal is crucial for male reproductive health.

  • Did you know that the inguinal canal can be a site for hernias?

  • During fetal development, the testes descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum.

  • A hernia may occur when tissue pushes through the inguinal canal.

  • The surgeon examined the patient's inguinal canal for any signs of abnormal swelling.

Synonyms

canalis inguinalis
vsinguinal canal
  • Specialized
9.9

A slanted passage in the lower belly that lets the testes move down or carries a ligament from the womb

is the standard English form rather than the alternate technical form

Surface Forms

inguinal canal singular
inguinal canals plural

Morphology

inguinal + canal

The compound meaning 'a passage in the groin' is directly and compositionally derived from 'inguinal' (groin-related) + 'canal' (a bodily passage). Although the detailed anatomical function (descent of testes, transmission of the spermatic cord) is specialized medical knowledge, the core spatial/compositional sense is immediately understandable to learners who know both constituents.

Etymology

Inguinal canal comes from the words inguinal (about the 'groin') and canal (a small passage). Picture a narrow tunnel in the lower belly where the testes move down or where a ligament passes, so the term means the real passage through the lower belly wall.