K40.00: Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene Not specified as recurrent hernia

You have an inguinal hernia.

The abdominal wall is the front part of the abdomen. The abdominal wall is made up of various layers. From the outermost to the innermost, the layers are: the skin, the fatty tissue, the muscles and various connective tissue layers. The abdominal wall is very solid. The organs thus remain in the abdomen even at high pressure. The abdominal wall has weak points in some places. At these weaker points, the abdominal wall is thinner, or there are natural gaps in the abdominal wall. One weak point for instance is the groin. The groin is located between the abdomen and thighs. Various nerves and blood vessels are contained in the groin.

If the natural weak points in the groin become even weaker, the intestines may protrude outward through the groin. In your case, the intestines have protruded outward through a weak point on both sides of the groin. This is called an inguinal hernia, or just a hernia.

With a hernia, the intestines always remain covered by fatty tissue and the skin. The protrusion is particularly visible when pressure in the abdomen is high. That may occur for instance during coughing or squeezing. Pressure in the abdomen also increases with heavy lifting. In men, the intestines may also protrude into the scrotum.

In your case, the intestines are jammed in the gap. The blood supply may then be cut off. In that case, the intestines are no longer properly supplied with blood and can thus be damaged. If this condition lasts too long, the intestines may necrotize.