Groin hernias: comparision
| Direct inguinal hernia | Indirect inguinal hernia | Femoral hernia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | Protrudes through Hesselbach's (inguinal) triangle Passes medial to the inferior epigastric artery | Protrudes through the inguinal ring Passes lateral to the inferior epigastric artery | Protrudes below the inguinal ligament, lateral to the pubic tubercle |
| Cause | Defect or weakness in the transversalis fascia area of the Hesselbach triangle | Failure of the processus vaginalis to close | |
| Risk of strangulation | Low risk of strangulation | Low risk of strangulation | High risk of strangulation |
| Age | Seen in adults | May occur in infants | Seen in adults |
| Gender | Much more common in males | Much more common in males | More common in females |
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Comparison of direct and indirect inguinal hernia
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Comparison of femoral and indirect inguinal hernia