Inguinal area: anatomy, possible diseases and their treatment. Inguinal hernia

The inguinal region is one of the most intimate zones of every person, which, no less than other areas of the body, is susceptible to all sorts of diseases. One of the most common diseases is inguinal hernia. Exposed to this disease are mostly men and small boys, in view of some anatomical features.

Anatomy. Differences in the structure of the male and female groin

To understand what is meant by the inguinal region, it is necessary to determine its boundaries. From the point of view of anatomy, the inguinal region has the shape of a triangle and is delimited from below and externally by the inguinal ligament, from the inside by the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle, and from above by a line drawn between the anterior superior iliac spines.

An important anatomical structure is the inguinal canal. It is located in the lower part of the groin area, near the aforementioned inguinal ligament. The inguinal canal is a space of 5-7 cm. The men have a spermatic cord in this place, and the women have a round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal opening of the inguinal canal is a superficial inguinal ring, and the output one is a deep inguinal ring.

It must be understood that the inguinal region in men and women is arranged in different ways. In addition to differences in the structure of the inguinal canal, an important factor is the hairline. In women, it is less than that of men. A change in hairiness according to an uncharacteristic type may indicate a variety of endocrine disorders.

Do not forget about the significant differences in the structure of the sexual organs of men and women.

In the groin area is another important structure - lymph nodes. They become inflamed with a variety of diseases, and you can feel them yourself. For this, it is necessary to remove the inguinal fold and perpendicular to the inguinal ligament to start palpating. Slightly enlarged lymph nodes in the inguinal region are often considered the norm.

Persistent and painless enlargement of lymph nodes may indicate benign or malignant neoplasms (cancer). At present, testicular cancer is characteristic for more and more young people, now this age is within 15-45 years. In women, one of the most frequent causes of death is ovarian cancer. Cervical cancer occurs at an older age - after 65 years.

Causes of diseases in the groin

Often all our diseases begin with pain. Not an exception and the groin area. The place of the appearance of unpleasant sensations indicates a certain pathology.

Pain in the groin on the right or on the left may indicate several diseases. This can be a consequence of inflammatory processes, such as adnexitis, proctitis, endometritis, acute appendicitis, parametritis. With many of them, inguinal lymph nodes can be enlarged.

Adnexitis

This inflammatory-infectious disease of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which is a consequence of the penetration of infection through the blood or through the genital tract. As a result of the disease, groin in women can become a source of pain. Along with this symptom, the patient raises the temperature, the menstrual cycle breaks down, sometimes white purulent discharge appears. In general, the picture can be similar to acute appendicitis.

Acute appendicitis

With acute appendicitis and proctitis, the clinic can be similar to adnexitis, also localized in the right side. This is associated with the specific position of the appendix or, in the case of proctitis, features of damage to the rectum. For appendicitis, the pain in the groin on the right is most characteristic.

Parametritis

This is a purulent inflammation of the cellulose that surrounds the uterus. Like adnexitis, it is contagious. This disease is often associated with traumatic injuries, after which infection with an infectious agent already occurs. Injuries in this case may be abortion, rupture of the uterine tube, various medical interventions. Depending on the extent and severity of the lesion, a woman has a fever, a headache, etc.

Diseases that are sexually transmitted

Continuing the theme of infectious diseases, one can not help recalling sexually transmitted diseases. In our time, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis and many others have not lost their relevance. These diseases can manifest as fever, itching, redness in the groin may appear, as well as other symptoms depending on the pathogen.

Other reasons

But not all infections that damage the skin and the organs of the groin are transmitted sexually. Some can be entered after a gynecological examination, in which hygiene rules were not followed, or the infection can occur by a household contact. An example of such infection is a variety of epidermophytes - diseases in which the skin is affected by a fungus. Infection usually occurs when using a common towel, in baths, showers, through bed linen.

Causes of redness in the groin

Redness in the groin is not always a sign of infectious diseases. The causes may be allergic reactions caused by improperly selected powder or other detergents. Another of the most common causes is irritation after depilation in the pubic region. To avoid redness and vesicles, it is necessary to properly prepare for the procedure, use soothing agents for the skin.

In men, the inguinal region may turn red due to wearing uncomfortable underwear, often made of poor-quality materials. Most often this problem bothers people in the summer, in hot weather. Redness can be: from minor, not disturbing erythem to very itchy, with severe rash and vesicles. This phenomenon is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and greatly annoying.

Women can also be bothered by the same inconveniences as men, but to a lesser extent. More often the groin in women can blush due to neurodermatitis. The cause of this disease are problems with the central nervous system. Also, to avoid redness, women need to observe more thorough intimate hygiene. Redness can also be caused by psoriasis. Studies indicate a higher predisposition to psoriasis in blonde women.

Redness in the groin - a common problem among children, especially at the age of up to a year. The main reasons - untimely change of diapers, diapers, strong wrapping of the child, which causes overheating, and uncomfortable clothing that does not match the size of the child. Do not forget about allergic reactions that can be caused by tissue, improper soap, complementary foods, even breast milk.

Hernia. What and where from?

A fairly common problem is a hernia. What is inguinal hernia? This is the protrusion of organs into the cavity of the inguinal canal. This disease is more susceptible to men, due to the more loose connective tissue in the region of the inguinal ring, and also because of the wider superficial inguinal ring, approximately twice as much as in women.

Hernias can be acquired and congenital. What is an inguinal hernia of the congenital type? It is typical for premature boys, which is often associated with untimely ovulation. It is still necessary to distinguish between oblique and direct hernias. The slanting passes in the inner inguinal ring and goes along the inguinal canal, which is why it got that name. A direct inguinal hernia is formed through the outer inguinal ring, which is associated with weakness of the abdominal wall. Congenital hernias can be oblique, straight or inguino-scrotal, and acquired, basically, straight lines.

The disease can give pain in the left groin, burning on the left or right in the groin area, and when touched by a painful place a person can feel a bulge or "bump". The size of the protrusion can be of various sizes: from the quail egg to the more impressive one, which depends on the weakness of the walls and the neglect of the process.

The very protrusion in the initial stages can periodically disappear, and appear only with physical exertion or after them. The hernial sac may appear and disappear depending on the position of the body. If you suspect an inguinal hernia, there is pain in the left groin, and you should always consult a doctor to avoid complications. From the consequences, stool feces can be identified, which can lead to intestinal obstruction, inflammation of the testicle, inflammation of the hernia itself. But the most dangerous complication is the infringement of the hernia, which in some cases leads to the death of the patient.

When the above signs appear, the following alarms can join them:

• Presence of feces in the stool;
• Multiple vomiting of the central origin (after vomiting no relief comes);
• Sharp increase in soreness.

This indicates the infringement of the hernia. If the inguinal area gives such symptoms, then you need to remember the following: do not try to fix the hernial contents, you need to call an ambulance for immediate hospitalization.

Diagnosis of hernias

The basis of diagnosis - inspection. In some cases it is necessary to conduct ultrasound of hernia contents or herniography - X-ray examination of the hernia. In men, it is advisable to carry out differential diagnosis with femoral hernia (hernia will be below the inguinal ligament) and varicocele (dropsy testis).

Treatment of a hernia

The success of treatment and the risk of complications directly depends on the patient - the sooner he goes to the hospital, the better for him. The problem is that many people do not worry about this disease, because the formation of small sizes and appears periodically, which people do not pay attention to.

Treatment is always prompt. An operation is performed to remove the inguinal hernia in men and women under the name of hernioplasty, she is also a herniography. During the operation, surgeons dissect the hernia and assess the organs located there. If they are all right, they are returned to their place, and then strengthen the abdominal wall. If the organs are damaged, ischemic, they must be removed. During the operation, the surgeon is obliged to assess the hernial contents by the following indications:

• Colour;
• Presence of pulsation;
• Peristaltic movements.

Now in hernioplasty often apply special nets, which allow you to reduce the risk of complications and prevent repeated hernias. In some cases, surgery to remove the inguinal hernia in men or women is carried out without the notorious "incisions" - by performing laparoscopic surgery. The first week after it, you should refrain from using gas-producing products, and in the next 3-4 months, avoid intense physical exertion.