ABSTRACT
Figure 22. The inguinal canal runs along the inguinal ligament, from the internal (deep) ring to the external (superficial) ring. The inguinal ligament stretches from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle. The internal ring lies approximately 1.5 cm superior to the femoral pulse, itself in the midline of the inguinal ligament. The external ring lies immediately superior and medial to the pubic tubercle
A hernia is defined as the protrusion of an organ or part thereof through a deficiency in the wall of the cavity in which it is contained. There are many different types of hernia but the ones that are most likely to be examined and discussed in an OSCE are indirect and direct inguinal hernias and femoral hernias. Their principal differentiating features are summarised in Table 22. The differential diagnosis of a lump in the groin is listed in Table 23.
