The inguinal canal is an anatomically complex region. Although much has been written about the gubernaculum and the descent of the testis, little is known about the development of the abdominal wall itself. We dissected this inguinal canal in 75 fetuses between 10 and 25 weeks of gestation, 42 males and 33 females. We identified the anterior body-wall muscular layers, located the gonads and uterus, and observed the formation of the scrotum. The gubernaculum was dissected, from the deep to the superficial ends and its distal attachments were determined. We proved that the muscular-fibrous layers of the wall were well-differentiated and observed how the inguinal canal enlarged with embryological development. In only one of the cases, an abnormal testis was found located in the scrotum. The upper end of the gubernaculum inserted into the inferior pole of the testis or the lateral angle of the uterus, according to gender. The lower end was attached by one or multiple tails, mainly on the pubic bone. This fact explained the clinical findings of ectopic testis. Observations of the abdominal wall and its relationship with the gubernaculum assisted us in explaining the development of the inguinal region, the formation of the inguinal canal, and the presence of the gubernaculum, in both genders. We intend to explain how the deep inguinal ring moves upwards, bringing the gubernaculum along with it, and thus determines the final form of the inguinal canal.

Museums where anatomical pieces are exhibited are disappearing. The advance of the computer together with the advance of conventional and three-dimensional radiology makes the organs to be exposed without practicing dissection and the virtual images replace the real ones in the educational process. Some current laws that restrict the use of corpses and fetuses for obituary and exhibition studies have also contributed to the tendency. The anatomical museum, today named Pedro Ara, was founded in December 1920 and it exhibits anatomic works from the embryonic stage to old age, contributing unbeatable teachings to the medical sciences and the general public. The museum is located in the Angel Roque Suarez Anatomic Institute in the Clinical National Hospital which depends on the National University of Cordoba. It is visited daily by hundreds of people from all over the world. The museum owns 1211 pieces that combine ethical, scientific, aesthetical and educational values achieving a realization that received international acknowledgement. The most valuable exhibited work is 'Old man's head' made by Professor Pedro Ara in 1928-1929 (Figure 1), which, owing to its high quality, is in an impeccable and unharmed condition despite being exhibited for 80 years. Other authors, such as Professor Humberto Fracassi, also enriched the museum with their work and we, convinced that it favors and will favor our human formation and professional training, have the privilege of being their heirs and the responsibility of being their followers.

With the use of the presented instruments, a selective boarding of the IC was obtained, and thanks to the specific characteristics of each dissector, the different anatomical structures related to the IC can be approached with facility. Also, the nervous fibers that compose it can be dissected, which expose the IC in an integral and three-dimensional way.