K40-K46: Hernia

K41: Femoral hernia

Femoral hernias are a group of conditions where part of an organ, usually the small intestine, bulges through the wall of the femoral canal. The femoral canal is a pathway through which blood vessels pass from the abdomen to the thigh. While femoral hernias can occur in both men and women, they're most common in older women due to the wider shape of the female pelvis. These hernias develop often as a result of strain on the abdomen, which can be due to heavy lifting, obesity, pregnancy, or chronic constipation. The typical symptoms include a lump in the groin near the thigh, discomfort or pain in the groin, and sometimes severe abdominal pain if the hernia is strangled. It's important to know that a femoral hernia won't improve without treatment, and can lead to life-threatening complications if ignored.