[TA] the opening in the transversalis fascia through which the ductus deferens and gonadal vessels (or round ligament in the female) enter the inguinal canal. Located midway between anterior superior iliac spine and pubic tubercle, it is bounded medially by the lateral umbilical fold (inferior epigastric vessels) and inferiorly by the iliopubic tract. Indirect inguinal hernias exit the abdominal cavity through the deep inguinal ring SYN: anulus inguinalis profundus [TA], abdominal ring, internal inguinal ring.