A hernia is when part of a tissue or organ leaves its normal anatomical position and enters another part of the body through a weak point, defect or orifice formed congenitally or acquired.
The groin is the junction area connecting the abdomen to the scrotum, and tissue such as the greater omentum or intestinal canal in the abdominal cavity enters the groin to form an inguinal hernia.
An inguinal hernia forms as a result of incomplete closure of the peritoneal sheath, combined with a simultaneous increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as when an infant cries or coughs violently, and a smooth cystic mass appears in the groin or scrotum.