inguinal

View more Health videos

Pertaining to the groin.

1. Of or located in the groin.
2. Relating to the left or right inguinal region of the abdomen.

Pertaining to the groin.

• i. abscess — characterized by a history of prior castration and a syndrome of unilateral edema, pain and swelling in the inguinal region, possibly confirmable by rectal palpation.
• i. canal — the oblique passage in the ventral abdominal wall, through which passes the round ligament of the uterus in the female, and the spermatic cord in the male.
• i. hernia — hernia occurring in the groin, or inguen, where the abdominal folds of flesh meet the thighs. Protrusion of intestine, omentum and occasionally a gravid uterus, either directly through a weak point in the abdominal wall (direct inguinal hernia) or downward into the inguinal canal (indirect inguinal hernia; called also scrotal hernia in the male). A serious complication is incarceration with or without strangulation of the herniated viscus. Most commonly seen in bitches; occasionally a heritable trait in dogs and may be inherited in pigs and cattle.
• i. ring — there are two rings, one at the entrance and one at the exit of the inguinal canal. See also ring.
• i. strangulation — see inguinal hernia.