Hernias Flashcards
What is a hernia?
Protrusion of a body part beyond the confines of its containing cavity
What are the causes of hernias?
Weakness of cavity
- congenital
- post surgery
- normal weakness points
Increase in intra-abdominal pressure
- obesity
- weight lifting
- chronic constipation
- chronic cough
What makes up a hernia?
Sac
Contents of the sac
Coverings of the sac
What is an inguinal hernia?
Hernia through oblique pass in the lower part of the abdominal wall - inguinal canal
What forms the floor of the inguinal canal?
Inguinal ligament + lacunar ligament
What forms the roof the inguinal canal?
Internal oblique + transverse abdominus
What forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?
Transversalis fascia
What forms the anterior wall of the inguinal canal?
Aponeurosis of external oblique
Where is the deep ring in the inguinal canal?
Posterior wall
Where is the superficial ring in the inguinal canal?
Anterior wall
What forms the medial border of the inguinal canal?
Pubic tubercle
What forms the lateral border of the inguinal canal?
ASIS
What are the types of inguinal hernia?
Direct
Indirect
What is a direct inguinal hernia?
Bulges through Hesselbach’s triangle
What is the medial border of Hesselbach’s triangle?
Lateral border of rectus abdominis
What is the lateral border of Hesselbach’s triangle?
Inferior epigastric vessels
What is the inferior border of Hesselbach’s triangle
Inguinal ligament
What is the relation of a direct hernia to the inferior epigastric vessels?
Medial to vessels
What is an indirect hernia?
Passes through deep ring, along inguinal canal and through superficial ring
What is the relation of an indirect hernia to the inferior epigastric vessels?
Lateral to vessels
Who is an inguinal hernia more common in?
Males
Who is a femoral hernia more common in?
Females
What is a femoral hernia?
Bowel herniates into femoral canal
What is an omphalocele?
Failure of the midgut to return to the abdomen during development
- viscera covered in peritoneum
- feeding can commence
What is gastroschisis?
Defect in the ventral abdominal wall
- viscera not covered in peritoneum
- problems with feeding
What is an umbilical hernia?
Hernia at the site of the umbilicus - commonly found in children
What is a paraumbilical hernia?
Umbilical hernia found in adults - bowel goes through linea alba
Who is a paraumbilical hernia more common in?
Females
What is an incarcerated hernia?
A ‘stuck’ hernia
What is a strangulated hernia?
Hernia with disrupted blood supply
