How Do We Understand The Difference Between Direct And Indirect Inguinal Hernia?
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A direct and an indirect inguinal hernia is identified by how and when the hernia is formed. An indirect inguinal hernia is the most common type that usually happens in premature births, whereas a direct inguinal hernia occurs mainly in adults and increases with age.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), men are more prone to this type of hernia. Both types of inguinal hernias cause a lump on either side of the pubis. Here are the few significant differences between a direct and an indirect inguinal hernia-
- A direct inguinal hernia shows a bulge from the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, whereas an indirect inguinal hernia passes through the inguinal canal or the groin.
- It is difficult to feel the defect in the indirect inguinal canal as it occurs behind the external oblique muscle fibres. The defect can easily be felt in a direct inguinal canal in the abdominal wall.
- A direct inguinal canal cannot reach the scrotum, whereas the other can quickly go down.
- An indirect inguinal hernia can develop in infancy when an abdomen area called the inguinal ring fails to close. A direct hernia occurs in adulthood when the abdominal muscle wall weakens with age.
Below, we summarise the difference between direct and indirect inguinal hernia.
Indirect Inguinal Hernia |
Direct Inguinal Hernia |
| It passes through the inguinal canal. | It bulges from the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. |
| Descends into the scrotum | Don’t descend into the scrotum area |
| This defect is not palpable as it lies behind the fibres of the external oblique muscles of the abdomen. | The defect is palpable here as it lies in the abdominal wall above the pubic tubercle. |
| Commonly seen in children and young adults | It mainly occurs in old age |