_*🔹WHAT IS A HERNIA?*_ ▪️A hernia is a protrusion of the viscus [internal organ such as the intestine through an abnormal opening or weakened area in the wall of the cavity in which is normally contained. ▪️Hernias that easily return to the abdominal cavity are called reducible while those that cannot are irreducible hernias. _*🔹CLASSIFICATION OF HERNIAS*_ _*(a)ACCORDING TO SITE*_ _*(i)UMBILICAL HERNIA*_ ▪️A umbilical hernia occurs when a weak spot in the belly allows a bit of fat, fluid, or intestine to push through, creating a lump or bulge near the belly button. _*(ii)INGUINAL HERNIA*_ ▪️Is the most common type of hernia and occurs at the point of weakness in the wall where spermatic cord [man] or round ligament [ woman] emerges. ▪️Inguinal hernias come in two types: *🔹INDIRECT INGUINAL HERNIA* ▪️ This is the most common type, and a type of hernia that you may be born with. ▪️ Although it can occur in men and women, it is much more common in men. ▪️This is because the male testicle starts inside the abdomen and has to go down through an opening in the groin area to reach the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). ▪️ If this opening does not close at birth,a hernia develops. ▪️In women,this type of hernia can occur if reproductive organs or the small intestine slides into the groin area because of a weakness in the abdominal muscles. *DIRECT INGUINAL HERNIA* ▪️This type of hernia is caused by weakening of your abdominal muscles over time and is more likely to be seen in adults. ▪️ Direct inguinal hernias occur only in men. _*🔹FEMORAL HERNIA*_ ▪️It easily becomes strangulated. ▪️A femoral hernia is a bulge in the upper part of the thigh near the groin. _*🔹VENTRAL OR INCISIONAL HERNIA*_ Incisional hernia is a hernia that occurs in the area of a previous surgery is known as an incisional hernia. _*PERIOSTOMAL HERNIA*_ ▪️This occurs through the fascial defect around a stoma and into the subcutaneous tissue. _*(b)ACCORDING TO SEVERITY*_ *(i)REDUCIBLE* ▪️The protruding mass can be replaced back into the abdominal cavity. *(ii)IRREDUCIBLE* ▪️The protruding mass cannot be moved back into the abdominal cavity. ▪️Incarcerated: this is an irreducible hernia in which the intestinal flow is completely obstructed. *(iii)STRANGULATED* ▪️An irreducible hernia in which the blood and intestinal flow are completely obstructed. This occurs when a loop of intestine in the sac becomes twisted or swollen and a constriction is produced at the neck of the sac.