ABSTRACT
The abdominal wall is a complex structure composed primarily of muscle, bone and fascia. Its major function is to protect the enclosed organs but it must also enable mobility and be able to flex, extend, rotate and vary its capacity. Flexibility requires elasticity and stretch, which compromise abdominal wall strength. A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in the layer that normally confines it. Many structures enter and leave the abdominal cavity, creating weakness that can lead to hernia formation. The most common example is the inguinal canal, along which, in males, the testis and its associated vessels descend from the abdomen to scrotum at the time of birth. The most common example is the inguinal canal, along which, in males, the testis and its associated vessels descend from the abdomen to scrotum at the time of birth.
