Anatomy
Hernias
Compiled By Muchiri Simon
Edition: 2024/25
, Medical & Nursing | Anatomy I of IV pages
1. Describe the inguinal region
It is the Junction between the anterior abdominal wall and the thigh This area is between the ASIS and the
tubercle The anterior abdominal wall is weakened in the inguinal region It is clinically important because it is
potential site where most of the abdominal hernias occur. It is anatomically important because structures exit
2. What causes the inherent weakness in the abdominal wall in the groin
Caused by changes that occur in the development of the gonads.Before the descent of the testes and the
from their original position high in the anterior abdominal wall, a peritoneal outpouching (the processus
3. What do the testes and ovaries gain coverings from
Transversalis fascia (deepest)
Second covering is from the internal oblique muscle ( a covering from the transversus is not acquired as the
Its most superficial covering is the aponeurosis of the external oblique.
4. What forms as a result of the processus vaginalis
It is transformed into a tubular structure with multiple coverings from the layers of the anterior abdominal
5. Summarise the inguinal canal
Inguinal canal The testis and spermatic cord descend from the abdomen into the scrotum via the developing
canal. in the female the uterine round ligament descends through the developing inguinal canal. (testicular
starts after 7th wk of IUL and enter the inguinal canal around 28 wks of IUL and enters the scrotum by 32-36
6. Summarise the femoral canal
Another canal below the inguinal ligament through which femoral artery and vein pass
7. What are these canals vulnerable to
These two canals remain vulnerable throughout life for potential herniation of the abdominal viscera to occur.
8. Define hernia
A hernia* is a condition in which part or whole of an organ or tissue abnormally protrude through the wall of
9. Outline the anatomy of a hernia
Weakness/defect/hole on the wall through which the hernia protrudes
Hernial Sac e.g. peritoneum with neck, body and fundus
Contents of the hernial sac - e.g. bowel, bladder
Hernial coverings - skin
10. Summarise the clinical features of hernias
A lump or protrusion in the groin
Appears intermittently or present all the time
Painless/painful and uncomfortable
Hernia may be reducible or irreducible
May be strangulated with tissue death- and associated with vomiting, constipation, intestinal obstruction this
11. List some facts about hernias in the groin
In both sexes most of the groin lumps or swellings are herniasInguinal hernias > femoralAccounts for 10% of
outpatient referrals Inguinal hernias accounts for 7% of surgical outpatient consultationsAccounts for 12% of
theatre timeInguinal hernia is 8 times greater in males than in femalesFemoral hernias are rare in males
for 2.5% of the groin swellingsFemoral hernias are higher in women and increases with age and number of
Anatomy 2024/25 Edition
Hernias
Compiled By Muchiri Simon
Edition: 2024/25
, Medical & Nursing | Anatomy I of IV pages
1. Describe the inguinal region
It is the Junction between the anterior abdominal wall and the thigh This area is between the ASIS and the
tubercle The anterior abdominal wall is weakened in the inguinal region It is clinically important because it is
potential site where most of the abdominal hernias occur. It is anatomically important because structures exit
2. What causes the inherent weakness in the abdominal wall in the groin
Caused by changes that occur in the development of the gonads.Before the descent of the testes and the
from their original position high in the anterior abdominal wall, a peritoneal outpouching (the processus
3. What do the testes and ovaries gain coverings from
Transversalis fascia (deepest)
Second covering is from the internal oblique muscle ( a covering from the transversus is not acquired as the
Its most superficial covering is the aponeurosis of the external oblique.
4. What forms as a result of the processus vaginalis
It is transformed into a tubular structure with multiple coverings from the layers of the anterior abdominal
5. Summarise the inguinal canal
Inguinal canal The testis and spermatic cord descend from the abdomen into the scrotum via the developing
canal. in the female the uterine round ligament descends through the developing inguinal canal. (testicular
starts after 7th wk of IUL and enter the inguinal canal around 28 wks of IUL and enters the scrotum by 32-36
6. Summarise the femoral canal
Another canal below the inguinal ligament through which femoral artery and vein pass
7. What are these canals vulnerable to
These two canals remain vulnerable throughout life for potential herniation of the abdominal viscera to occur.
8. Define hernia
A hernia* is a condition in which part or whole of an organ or tissue abnormally protrude through the wall of
9. Outline the anatomy of a hernia
Weakness/defect/hole on the wall through which the hernia protrudes
Hernial Sac e.g. peritoneum with neck, body and fundus
Contents of the hernial sac - e.g. bowel, bladder
Hernial coverings - skin
10. Summarise the clinical features of hernias
A lump or protrusion in the groin
Appears intermittently or present all the time
Painless/painful and uncomfortable
Hernia may be reducible or irreducible
May be strangulated with tissue death- and associated with vomiting, constipation, intestinal obstruction this
11. List some facts about hernias in the groin
In both sexes most of the groin lumps or swellings are herniasInguinal hernias > femoralAccounts for 10% of
outpatient referrals Inguinal hernias accounts for 7% of surgical outpatient consultationsAccounts for 12% of
theatre timeInguinal hernia is 8 times greater in males than in femalesFemoral hernias are rare in males
for 2.5% of the groin swellingsFemoral hernias are higher in women and increases with age and number of
Anatomy 2024/25 Edition
