inguinal

[Latin inguinālis, from inguen, inguin-, groin.]

Pertaining to the groin.

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.