femoral hernia

Last reviewed 01/2018

A femoral hernia is a protrusion of peritoneum into the potential space of the femoral canal. The sac may contain abdominal viscera - usually small bowel - extraperitoneal fat or omentum.

No congenital sac has been found so it is believed that they are acquired.

As with other abdominal wall hernias, they may be described as reducible, irreducible or strangulated. Strangulation and incarceration are common because femoral hernias tend to have a narrow neck.