Definition
The groin represents a special structure of our body, as it is the passageway of many important structures. The inguinal canal is also located here, running from the level of the navel to the thigh. The spermatic cord in men and the ligament in women pass through the inguinal canal, and both sexes have different nerves that supply the thigh and the external genitals with sensitive nerve tissue.
In addition, the large blood vessels of the leg and also the thigh nerve, which innervates the knee extensors, run underneath the inguinal ligament. Furthermore, the groin also lies in close proximity to the hip joint and many muscle origins. Pain that affects both the thigh and the groin usually originates from one of the above-mentioned structures that runs through the groin.
The exact localization of the pain and accompanying symptoms help in finding a diagnosis. Pain that runs from the groin to the inner side of the thigh can have a variety of triggers. On the one hand, it can be a groin strain.
This is an uncontrolled, jerky overstretching of the adductor muscles, which are located on the inner side of the thighs and originate at the lower hip. On the other hand, the reason for the described pain may also be irritation of the genitofemoral nerve. This is divided into two parts.
One part is responsible for the sensitivity of the inner thigh, the other part runs through the inguinal canal to the outer genitals and sensitively innervates the outer labia in women and the scrotum in men. In addition, pain in the groin, which runs to the inner side of the thigh, can also indicate a femoral hernia. In a femoral hernia, as in the more common inguinal hernia, abdominal organs are protruding through a hernia sac consisting of peritoneum, which can leak due to a weakness of the abdominal wall.
In contrast to the inguinal hernia, the femoral hernia develops below the inguinal ligament and affects women in most cases. A painful swelling is often found at the site of the hernia sac on the upper, front thigh. If these symptoms occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor, as a hernia should be treated as soon as possible.
If the pain extends from the groin down to the knee, it may be an irritation of the femoral nerve, which runs below the inguinal ligament. In addition, an iliopsoas syndrome, which often occurs in competitive athletes with heavy strain on the hip, can also be the cause. This is an overexertion of the hip flexor muscle, which runs down from the spine to the thigh.
In the gluteal area is the exit point of the sciatic nerve, which supplies the rear thigh muscles and the lower leg. If the nerve is irritated, pain may be experienced from the buttocks into the leg. In such a case one speaks of lumboischialgia.
In addition, a herniated disc with compression of a nerve can also manifest itself as pain that extends from the lower back or upper buttocks to the leg. In comparison to sciatica irritation, a herniated disc also causes disturbances of sensitivity in the legs and possibly a reduction in strength. In addition, a hip joint bottleneck syndrome (impingement) can also lead to pain radiating into the groin and buttocks.
Furthermore, tension in the muscles running from the hip bone to the rear thigh should also be considered, such as piriformis syndrome. A pain originating from the groin and extending into the testicles or labia usually affects the structures running in the inguinal canal. In men, it can be an inflammation of the testes or epididymis, which spreads via the spermatic duct into the inguinal canal. Similarly, an inflammation of the external genitals of both sexes or an irritation of the nerve that runs through the inguinal canal to the labia majora or the scrotum can also be expressed by such pain. In addition, the pain described may also be an inguinal hernia.
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