'''Inguinal hernias''' occur when abdominal organs move into the inguinal canal where they may become [[Hernia|incarcerated]] or [[Hernia|strangulated]]. The herniated organs may be within the tunica vaginalis (an '''indirect hernia''') or they may be beside the tunica but within the inguinal canal (a '''direct hernia'''). In both cases, a true [[Hernia|hernial sac]] is formed by either the tunica vaginalis or parietal peritoneum, respectively. '''Scrotal hernias''' occur in male animals when indirectly herniated organs pass along the tunica vaginalis to the level of the scrotum. Organs in a scrotal hernia are much more likely to become strangulated. The organs most commonly involved in the hernia are the omentum, small intestine, bladder and uterus and these may become incarcerated or strangulated within the relatively narrow inguinal canal. | '''Inguinal hernias''' occur when abdominal organs move into the inguinal canal where they may become [[Hernia|incarcerated]] or [[Hernia|strangulated]]. The herniated organs may be within the tunica vaginalis (an '''indirect hernia''') or they may be beside the tunica but within the inguinal canal (a '''direct hernia'''). In both cases, a true [[Hernia|hernial sac]] is formed by either the tunica vaginalis or parietal peritoneum, respectively. '''Scrotal hernias''' occur in male animals when indirectly herniated organs pass along the tunica vaginalis to the level of the scrotum. Organs in a scrotal hernia are much more likely to become strangulated. The organs most commonly involved in the hernia are the omentum, small intestine, bladder and uterus and these may become incarcerated or strangulated within the relatively narrow inguinal canal. |