A female patient presents with a swelling in the femoral triangle that is below and lateral to the pubic tubercle. It has an impulse on coughing. Why is femoral hernia more common in females than males?

• A The inguinal ligament is longer in females, creating a larger femoral canal
• B Absence of the spermatic cord in females leaves the femoral canal without fibrous reinforcement
• C Round ligament of the uterus traverses the femoral canal in females
• D Wider pelvis in females creates a larger femoral ring with less coverage by the pectineal (Cooper's) ligament ✓

Explanation

The femoral ring is bounded medially by the lacunar ligament, laterally by the femoral vein, anteriorly by the inguinal ligament, and posteriorly by the pectineal (Cooper's) ligament. In females, the wider pelvis creates a larger femoral ring diameter, making it anatomically predisposed to femoral hernia. The absence of the spermatic cord also removes a fibrous element that helps fill/reinforce the space in males. Despite this anatomical predisposition, inguinal hernias are still more common than femoral hernias in both sexes. Femoral hernias have the highest risk of strangulation of all abdominal hernias.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.