Aberrant adrenal tissue in the wall of a hernial sac

An aberrant adrenal, which is a supplementary to the normal adrenal, was found in the apex of hernial sacs in ten out of 350 operated children. This tissue contains adrenal cortex, which tends to atrophy and disappear during childhood, but uncommonly may persist into adult life. Rarely it may secrete abnormally or undergo neoplastic changes. The embryological development is discussed, and the literature briefly reviewed.