The groin is an anatomical region where the lower trunk transitions into the thighs. It refers to a broader region, not a single organ, encompassing various structures that facilitate movement, support, and other bodily functions.
Defining the Groin Area in Females
The groin, also known as the inguinal region, is defined by specific anatomical boundaries. It encompasses the lower portion of the anterior abdominal wall, extending to the upper part of the inner thigh. This region is situated superior to the thigh, lateral to the pubic tubercle, and inferomedial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). A distinct fold or crease, known as the inguinal groove, forms at the junction where the abdominal wall meets the thigh. The specific underlying structures within it can vary.
Key Structures and Their Significance
The female groin area houses several structures contributing to overall body function. A group of five muscles, collectively known as the adductor muscles—including the adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus—are located on the inner thigh. These muscles adduct the thigh (drawing the leg inward) and play a role in hip stabilization, flexion, and rotation.
The inguinal ligament, also referred to as Poupart’s ligament, is a band of connective tissue that runs from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle. This ligament connects the abdominal muscles to the pelvis, providing structural support to the soft tissues in the groin and contributing to hip flexibility. It also forms the floor of the inguinal canal, a passage through which certain structures pass.
Major blood vessels traverse this region, including the femoral artery and femoral vein. The femoral artery, a continuation of the external iliac artery, is the primary blood supply to the entire lower limb, while the femoral vein drains blood from the lower limb back towards the heart. Both of these vessels pass underneath the inguinal ligament. Several nerves are also present, such as the femoral nerve, which provides motor and sensory functions to the hip and thigh. The ilioinguinal nerve and the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supply sensation to areas including the mons pubis and labia majora.
Within the groin, clusters of inguinal lymph nodes are found, both superficially and deeper within the tissues. These nodes are a part of the lymphatic system, acting as filters that trap harmful substances like bacteria and viruses from the lymphatic fluid. They play a role in the body’s immune response by draining lymph from the lower limbs, external genitalia, and lower abdominal wall. The inguinal canal contains the round ligament of the uterus in females, connecting the uterus to the anterolateral abdominal wall. The external genitalia, including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and urethral opening, are also part of the broader groin area.