Supravesical hernia

Supravesical hernias (alternative plural: herniae) are a type of abdominal hernia in which viscera protrude through the supravesical fossa.

Pathology

Laxity with failure of the transversalis fascia and the transversus abdominis muscle are the main cause of supravesical hernias in virgin abdomens .

Supravesical hernias are divided into two types, based on the anatomical location of the hernial sac:

• external supravesical hernia: the hernial sac remains above the pelvic floor, protruding through the anterior abdominal wall
• internal supravesical hernia: the hernial sac goes downwards in the paravesical space

History and etymology

Supravesical hernia were first reported by Sir Astley Cooper (1768–1841) in 1804 .