Canal (anatomy)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

In anatomy, a canal (or canalis in Latin) refers to one of several anatomical structures which connect different regions of the body.

Examples include:

• Head/Skull
  • Infraorbital canal
  • Alveolar canals
  • Palatovaginal canal
  • Greater palatine canal
  • Incisive canals
  • Mandibular canal
  • Pterygoid canal
  • Semicircular canal

• Pelvis, abdomen and thigh
  • Adductor canal
  • Femoral canal
  • Inguinal canal
  • Pudendal canal
  • Obturator canal
  • Anal canal

• Other
  • Spinal canal

See also

• Foramen
• Fossa
• Canaliculus