Some observations on the course and relations of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (based on 348 specimens)

In a series of 174 dissecting-room embalmed human cadavers, of both sexes, observations have been made on the variations in the course and relations of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. The mean distance of both the nerves and ot their common trunk (whenever present) from the middle of the inguinal ligament has been found to be as follows:: Iliohypogastric nerve; 2.70 cm (2.75 cm on the right side and 2.66 cm on the left side), ilioinguinal nerve; 0.64 cm (0.62 cm on the right side and 0.67 cm on the left side), and common trunk 0.62 cm (0.70 cm on the right and 0.54 cm on the left side). The position of the iliohypogastric nerve was less than 2.0 cm from the middle of the inguinal ligament in 22.21% of the cases. Conversely, the position of the ilioinguinal nerve was greater than 1 cm from the middle of the inguinal ligament in 23% of the cases. The distance between the emergence of these nerves subcutaneously and the linea alba is not constant. The data obtained from the measurements were not statistically different with regard to either side or sex. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the variations in the course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves and of their common trunk is of practical clinical importance.