Inguinal Hernias and Surgical Management Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, anatomical structures, wall boundaries, contents, and surgical repair techniques for inguinal hernias based on the lecture notes.

Hernia

An abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in its surrounding walls.

Strangulated Hernia

A pathological classification of a hernia characterized by impaired blood supply to the protruded organ or tissue.

Reducible Hernia

A hernia where the protruding contents can be manually or spontaneously returned back into the abdominal cavity.

Irreducible (Incarcerated) Hernia

A hernia where the contents cannot be pushed back into the normal body cavity.

Inguinal Canal

An oblique space measuring $4\,\text{cm}$ in length that lies above the medial half of the inguinal ligament.

Superficial Inguinal Ring

A defect in the external oblique muscle located medially.

Deep Inguinal Ring

A defect in the transversalis fascia located laterally.

Inguinal Canal Structure Diagram

Diagram showing the tubular layout of the inguinal canal, stretching between the deep ring laterally and the superficial ring medially.

Inguinal Canal Wall Anatomy Diagram

Schematic diagram detailing the anterior wall, posterior wall, floor, and divisions into thirds, along with pathways for direct and indirect inguinal hernias.

Male Inguinal Canal Contents

The spermatic cord (composed of $3$ coverings, $3$ arteries, $3$ veins, and $3$ nerves) and the ilioinguinal nerve.

Female Inguinal Canal Contents

The round ligament of the uterus and the ilioinguinal nerve.

Herniotomy

A surgical procedure that involves excising the hernia sac.

Herniorrhaphy

A surgical repair comprising a herniotomy combined with the repair of the posterior abdominal wall.

Hernioplasty

A surgical procedure comprising a herniotomy combined with reinforcement of the posterior abdominal wall using a mesh.

Bassini Repair

An open hernia repair technique involving reconstruction of the posterior wall by suturing the transversalis fascia, transversus abdominis muscle, and internal oblique muscle medially to the inguinal ligament laterally.

Shouldice Repair

An open hernia repair technique where the iliopubic tract and inguinal ligament are sutured to the medial flap of the transversalis fascia and the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles in multi-layer suture lines.

Lichtenstein Repair

An open tension-free anterior inguinal herniorrhaphy method that utilizes mesh reinforcement.

Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP)

A laparoscopic hernia repair approach that requires access into the peritoneal cavity and placement of mesh in the preperitoneal space after reducing the hernia.

Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP)

A laparoscopic hernia repair approach that involves extraperitoneal dissection and mesh placement without entering the abdominal cavity.