Inguinal hernia is when a piece of your intestine or part of the membrane lining your abdominal cavity -- the space that holds organs like your stomach, small intestines, liver, and kidneys -- pokes through a weak spot in your abdominal muscles near your groin.
It’s named for the inguinal canal. That's a passage in your lower abdominal wall that houses blood vessels and nerves. It’s home to the spermatic cord in a man, and to ligaments that support a woman’s uterus.
An inguinal hernia could be a serious health problem, so don't ignore symptoms like a pain in your groin when you cough or lift something heavy. A physical exam is usually all it takes to diagnose the problem. If the hernia is large enough, you'll need surgery to fix it.