How can you tell the difference between an inguinal and femoral hernia?

An inguinal hernia happens in the abdomen between the groin and the pubis. The bulge may increase in size when you put pressure on the abdomen while coughing or sneezing. A femoral hernia happens when a portion of your muscle tries to get back through the femoral canal consisting of veins, nerves, and arteries.

What is a medial hernia?

The direct inguinal hernias are officially designated by their anatomic location which is found to be medial (or towards the midline) from the superficial epigastric blood vessels located in the groin. The indirect inguinal hernias occur LATERAL, or to the outside of those superficial epigastric vessels.

Where are most inguinal hernias located?

An inguinal hernia is a bulging of the contents of the abdomen through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall. Inguinal hernias can occur at either of two passages through the lower abdominal wall, one on each side of the groin. These passages are called inguinal canals.

Where is medial inguinal?

The inguinal region of the body, also known as the groin, is located on the lower portion of the anterior abdominal wall, with the thigh inferiorly, the pubic tubercle medially, and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) superolaterally.

Can you see a hernia on a ultrasound?

Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to generate images of your pelvic area and abdomen. In women, ultrasounds can help your doctor rule out other causes of pain, such as ovarian cysts or fibroids. In men, an ultrasound can help diagnose inguinal or scrotal hernias.

What is deep ring occlusion test?

Deep ring occlusion test remains one important and most emphasized clinical test while discussing about inguinal hernia. This test helps in differentiating between direct and indirect inguinal hernia. The treatment is same in all types of hernia that is tension free mesh repair by open or laparoscopic repairs.

What organs are located in the inguinal region?

The right inguinal region contains the:

• The small intestine.
• The appendix.
• The cecum.
• The ascending colon.
• The right ovary and right fallopian tube in females.

Does hernia show on MRI?

Patients with clinical suspicion of an inguinal hernia should undergo imaging, with MRI as the most sensitive radiologic examination. If results of US or a CT scan are negative for inguinal hernia, then MRI should be performed to definitively rule out hernias.

What is a direct inguinal hernia?

Direct inguinal hernia. A direct inguinal hernia is caused by a weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. The abdominal contents (usually just fatty tissues, sometimes with bowel) are forced through this defect and enter the inguinal canal.

What happens when a hernia extends more inferiorly?

As the hernia extends more inferiorly, the inguinal canal contents are further squeezed and stretched into the lateral crescent, and the fat of the crescent disappears ( Fig 4; see also Movie 1 ). A sliver of the inguinal ligament can be seen just inferior to the inguinal canal.

What is the difference between inguinal and femoral hernia?

Inguinal and Femoral Hernias 1 Anatomy of the Inguinal Canal. The inguinal ligament runs between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic tubercle (PT). 2 Direct vs Indirect Inguinal Hernias. An inguinal hernia is a protrusion, or movement of abdominal contents, from within the abdominal cavity. 3 Femoral Hernias.

Can an indirect inguinal hernia pierce the posterior wall?

An indirect inguinal hernia, however, does not pierce the posterior wall. The abdominal contents pass through the deep inguinal ring, passing through the inguinal canal and can exit via superficial ring. Both types of hernia can exit the superficial ring and emerge within the testes.