The clinical anatomy of the triangle of Petit.
BACKGROUND
Hernias through the triangle of Petit (TP) are uncommon. The anatomy of the TP is known to be variable, yet quantitative data are scant.


METHODS
The triangle was observed in 80 adult cadavers and its dimensions and surface area were measured.


RESULTS
On the basis of surface area we classified the triangles into four types. Type I or small TP, with a surface area of <8 cm2, accounted for 43.7% of our specimens. Type II (26.2%) were intermediate in size, with a surface areas of 8-12 cm2. Type III (12.5%) were large triangles with surface areas >12 cm2. Finally, Type IV (17.5%) were not triangles. In these, the latissimus dorsi was covered by the external abdominal oblique muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
We hope these data will help prediction of which patients are at greater risk of herniation through the TP.
Loukas
M
M
Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
Tubbs
R S
RS
El-Sedfy
A
A
Jester
A
A
Polepalli
S
S
Kinsela
C
C
Wu
S
S
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005205:Fascia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors