Question

Identify the structure marked in the intraoperative image of congenital inguinal hernia:

• A. Femoral vein
• B. Obturator vein
• C. Testicular vein
• D. Inferior epigastric vein

Hint:

The testicular vein should be identified and preserved during the repair of a congenital inguinal hernia to prevent damage to the venous drainage of the testes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the intraoperative image of a congenital inguinal hernia, identifying the correct structure requires understanding the anatomy involved. Here's a brief explanation of each option, guiding us to the correct answer:

1. Femoral Vein: The femoral vein runs through the femoral sheath alongside the femoral artery and nerve. It is located beneath the inguinal ligament and lateral to the femoral canal, making it an unlikely candidate in this context.

2. Obturator Vein: Situated within the pelvis, the obturator vein drains into the internal iliac vein. It is not typically involved in the anatomy of a congenital inguinal hernia.

3. Testicular Vein: Arising from the pampiniform plexus, the testicular vein is located in the spermatic cord, which is found within the inguinal canal involved in an inguinal hernia. This makes it the most relevant structure in this context.

4. Inferior Epigastric Vein: This vein travels superiorly from the external iliac vein and is associated with the anterior abdominal wall, rather than the structures commonly seen in a congenital inguinal hernia repair.

The structure visible in the image associated with the inguinal canal and spermatic cord is therefore identified as the Testicular Vein.