General SurgeryPending review
Femoral Hernia
Abdominal contents push through the narrow, rigid femoral canal below and lateral to the pubic tubercle, and because that canal is tighter and less compliant than the inguinal canal, femoral hernias carry a much higher risk of strangulation and are treated as surgical emergencies until proven otherwise.
In a nutshell
A femoral hernia pushes through the narrow, rigid femoral canal below and lateral to the pubic tubercle. That rigidity gives contents little room to move, so femoral hernias strangulate far more readily than inguinal hernias and are managed urgently even when small and reducible.
Classic presentation
A small, firm groin lump below and lateral to the pubic tubercle, more often in a woman, sometimes already irreducible or tender at first presentation.
Key points
- Femoral hernias emerge below and lateral to the pubic tubercle; inguinal hernias emerge above and medial to it: this single landmark is the key discriminator.
Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.