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Femoral hernia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

A femoral hernia is a protrusion of a loop of the intestine through a weakening in the abdominal wall, located in the groin near the thigh.

Alternative Names:

Femorocele; Enteromerocele; Crural hernia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A hernia occurs when abdominal contents, usually part of the small intestine, protrude through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall of the abdomen that holds the abdominal organs in place.

In a femoral hernia, a bulge is usually present in the upper part of the thigh, just below the groin. Femoral hernias tend to occur more often in women than in men.

A femoral hernia may become incarcerated (stuck) and strangulated (the loop of bowel loses its blood supply). Nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain may occur with a strangulated hernia. This is a medical emergency!

• Review Date: 11/14/2006
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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