Femoral canal

The femoral canal is the medial compartment of the three compartments of the femoral sheath. It is conical in shape. The femoral canal contains lymphatic vessels, and adipose and loose connective tissue, as well as - sometimes - a deep inguinal lymph node. The function of the femoral canal is to accommodate the distension of the femoral vein when venous return from the leg is increased or temporarily restricted.
The proximal, abdominal end of the femoral canal forms the femoral ring.
The femoral canal should not be confused with the nearby adductor canal.

Anatomy

The femoral canal is bordered:

anterosuperiorly by the inguinal ligament
posteriorly by the pectineal ligament lying anterior to the superior pubic ramus
Medially by the lacunar ligament
Laterally by the femoral vein

Physiological significance

The position of the femoral canal medially to the femoral vein is of physiologic importance. The space of the canal allows for the expansion of the femoral vein when venous return from the lower limbs is increased or when increased intra-abdominal pressure causes a temporary stasis in the venous flow.

Clinical significance

The entrance to the femoral canal is the femoral ring, through which bowel can sometimes enter, causing a femoral hernia. Though femoral hernias are rare, their passage through the inflexible femoral ring puts them at particular risk of strangulation, giving them surgical priority.