Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Gastroenterology4 > Hernias > Flashcards

Hernias Flashcards

1
Q

What is a hernia?

A

Protrusion of an organ or part of an organ through connective tissue or wall of a cavity in which it is normally enclosed

Can be congenital or acquired through weakening/disruption of abdominal wall fascia, or failed healing of surgical incision.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does ‘reducible’ mean in the context of hernias?

A

Herniated contents can be manually placed back into anatomic position spontaneously or with gentle pressure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an incarcerated hernia?

A

Hernia cannot be reduced back to anatomic position, increasing risk for bowel obstruction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define a strangulated hernia.

A

Blood supply to incarcerated hernia is compromised, leading to ischemia and necrosis of tissue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the common symptoms of a strangulated hernia?

A

Steadily increasing pain, nausea, vomiting.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What physical exam finding is associated with hernias?

A

Hernia may only appear with increased intra-abdominal pressure; evaluate in standing and recumbent positions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What percentage of hernias occur in the groin?

A

75%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the most common type of hernia?

A

Inguinal hernia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the lifetime risk for men and women to develop inguinal hernias?

A

Men: 27%, Women: 3%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

List the types of groin hernias.

A
  • Indirect inguinal hernia
  • Direct inguinal hernia
  • Femoral hernia.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the types of abdominal hernias?

A
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Epigastric hernia
  • Spigelian hernia
  • Incisional hernia.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What anatomical layers are involved in abdominal hernias?

A
  • Skin
  • Subcutaneous tissue
  • Superficial fascia
  • External oblique
  • Internal oblique
  • Transversus abdominus
  • Transversalis fascia
  • Preperitoneal adipose tissue
  • Peritoneum.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a Spigelian hernia?

A

Rare hernia occurring along arcuate line due to weakness from lack of posterior rectus sheath below line.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What risk factors are associated with incisional hernias?

A
  • Diabetes
  • Immunosuppressant use
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Malnutrition
  • Connective tissue disorders.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the contents of the inguinal canal in males?

A
  • Spermatic cord
  • Vas deferens.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What forms the deep (internal) inguinal ring?

A

Hiatus in transversalis fascia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the boundaries of Hesselbach’s triangle?

A
  • Superolaterally: Inferior epigastric vessels
  • Medially: Lateral edge of rectus sheath
  • Inferior: Inguinal ligament.
18
Q

True or False: Inguinal hernias are 5 times more common than femoral hernias.

A

True.

19
Q

What is the indication for surgical repair of umbilical hernias?

A

Symptomatic, incarceration, failure to close spontaneously after 5 years.

20
Q

Fill in the blank: Hernias can develop at the site of a previous _______.

A

[abdominal incision].

21
Q

What is the risk of incarceration in Spigelian hernias?

A

Up to 20%.

22
Q

What is the anterior layer of the rectus sheath composed of?

A
  • External oblique
  • Internal oblique
  • Transversus abdominus fascia.
23
Q

What is the role of the arcuate line in hernia anatomy?

A

Demarcates transition between posterior wall of rectus sheath covering superior ¾ of rectus abdominus and transversalis fascia covering inferior ¼.

24
Q

What does the femoral triangle contain?

A

Femoral artery, vein, and nerve

The femoral triangle is an important anatomical landmark in the groin region.

25
Q

What does the femoral sheath contain?

A

Femoral artery, vein, canal (with deep inguinal nodes), but NO nerve

The femoral sheath is crucial for understanding femoral hernias.

26
Q

Which nerves are involved in the innervation of the groin?

A
  • Iliohypogastric n.
  • Ilioinguinal n.
  • Genitofemoral n. (Genital and Femoral branches)
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous n.

These nerves originate from the lumbar plexus.

27
Q

What guides the descent of the testes into the scrotum?

A

Gubernaculum

The gubernaculum is a fibrous cord that helps in the descent of the testes.

28
Q

What is the processus vaginalis?

A

An evagination that protrudes through the inguinal canal and is involved in the descent of the testes

Failure of closure of the processus vaginalis can lead to hernias.

29
Q

What happens if the processus vaginalis persists?

A

Predisposed to indirect inguinal hernia and hydrocele

Hydrocele is the accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis.

30
Q

What characterizes an indirect inguinal hernia?

A

Herniated contents enter through deep inguinal ring, lateral to inferior epigastric vessels

It is the most common type of inguinal hernia.

31
Q

When do indirect inguinal hernias typically form?

A

In the first year of life, but may not become symptomatic until adulthood

This hernia type is common in both genders.

32
Q

What is the path of a direct inguinal hernia?

A

Enters through parietal peritoneum, medial to inferior epigastric vessels, and lateral to rectus abdominus

Direct inguinal hernias are less common and usually occur in older men.

33
Q

What is a femoral hernia?

A

Passes beneath inguinal ligament through femoral canal into the upper thigh

Femoral hernias are more common in females due to pelvic anatomy.

34
Q

What is the risk associated with femoral hernias?

A

Increased risk of incarceration/strangulation due to rigid boundaries of femoral ring

The femoral ring is bordered by the femoral vein and lacunar ligament.

35
Q

What imaging techniques are used to diagnose hernias?

A
  • US
  • CT
  • MRI

MRI is the most sensitive and specific for hernia diagnosis.

36
Q

What is the current standard for hernia repair?

A

Synthetic tension-free mesh

This method has shown to decrease recurrence rates.

37
Q

What is the recurrence rate after hernia repair?

A

Ranges from 0.5% to 15%

Recurrence rates can vary based on the type of hernia and repair method.

38
Q

What is a clinical sign of a hernia?

A

Nonreducible bulging mass, tender to palpation

This sign is often accompanied by pain and may indicate incarceration.

39
Q

True or False: Femoral hernias are less common than inguinal hernias.

A

True

However, they are more common in females.

40
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ is used to provide external compression over a hernia defect.

A

truss

Non-surgical repair methods may be temporary solutions.

Gastroenterology4 (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions