Hernias
Hernias are protrusions of a tissue, or an organ, outside its normal position. When these occur in the groin some abdominal contents, usually a part of the small intestine, bulges either directly through the muscle of the abdominal wall (and therefore called a direct hernia) or more commonly down the canal, called the inguinal canal, which is the path taken by the testicles on their journey into the scrotum (and so called an indirect inguinal hernia, because it does not pass directly through the wall). The inguinal canal normally contains only the spermatic cord, made up of the testicular artery and vein, nerves, and the vas deferens, and is closed. At birth, particularly in the premature infant, the canal may be open (a condition called persistent processus vaginalis) and abdominal contents can pass down it. Increasing abdominal pressure due, for example, to crying or coughing, can produce a bulge in the groin - or a swelling in the scrotum if the hernia progresses that far. These hernias can get stuck, causing pain and tenderness - surgery is required.
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