[The so-called Spigelian hernia--a rare lateral hernia of the abdominal wall]

A patient with Spigelian hernia is presented and the main pathological and clinical features are discussed. Its true incidence is probably greater than the small number of patients reported in the literature due to failure to recognize the clinical picture. A hernia through a defect in the Spigelian fascia (aponeurosis of the transverse muscle of the abdomen) is called Spigelian hernia. The semilunar (Spigelian) line is defined as the line forming the transition from muscle to aponeurosis in the transverse muscle of the abdominal wall. It is a lateral convey line between the costal arch and the pubic tubercle. The part of the aponeurosis that lies between this semilunar line and the lateral edge of the rectus muscle is called the "Spigelian fascia" (correct: Spigelian aponeurosis). The hernia is located intramurally because the hernia is covered by the aponeurosis of the external oblique aponeurosis, so that both, the hernial sac and the orifice, can often not be detected by palpation. Clinical symptoms are not characteristic but most patients have a distinct tender point above the hernial orifice.