An inguinal hernia, or a groin hernia, is a protrusion (lump) of the small intestine or fatty tissue into the groin through a weakness or tear in the abdominal wall.

In a man, an inguinal hernia develops in the region where the spermatic cord and blood vessels to the testicles pass out of the abdominal cavity and into the scrotum. The area where these pass through is called the inguinal canal.

In a woman, an inguinal hernia develops where the connective tissue binding the uterus exits from the...