Step 3 - Dissection of the Abdominal Wall, Penis and Scrotum
Clean and form the external (superficial) inguinal ring, which is best seen in the male
cadaver. This dissection demonstrates
the inguinal ligament, the lateral and medial crura and the conjoined
tendon that forms the posterior wall of the opening. You may find other ligaments
described in the region (e.g., pectineal ligament). A similar dissection is
seen in the female.
This dissection in the female shows the aponeurosis of the
external abdominal oblique muscle reflected inferiorly opening the inguinal canal to expose
the round ligament of the uterus and the ilioinguinal
nerve exiting the superficial ring. Those with male cadavers should skin the penis, remove the
testes from the scrotum,
open the spermatic fascia and clean the
contents of the spermatic cord. You may wish to review the
formation
of the layers of the spermatic cord.
We will be dissecting the external genitalia later. At this time, identify the glans penis,
superficial dorsal vein, and suspensory ligament of the penis, which is a continuation of the
deep fascia of the penis.
