Indirect Inguinal Hernia
These are due to a persistent opening in the lower abdominal wall in the groin that is largely due to the development of the testicles ! This is because the testes start in the back of the abdomen in a tiny foetus and descend into the scrotum via the inguinal canal, dragging their blood supply and the vas. Failure of this pathway to close predisposes to a hernia. These occur at all ages from new born baby boys to old men but are common in mid life due to raised intra abdominal pressure.
​
Heavy work and abdominal distension will increase intra abdominal pressure and aggravate an inguinal hernia.
​
As it follows the testes this type of hernia can gradually descend into the scrotum and become quite large.
​
It is common for a string of fat to accompany the testicular cord through the groin. This is called a lipoma of the cord. It often exists along side an indirect hernia and is occasionally mistaken for an indirect hernia.
​
The weakness often occurs on both sides of the groin. Inguinal hernia are often bilateral occurring on both sides.
An indirect inguinal hernia following the testes.
Wiki Commons