groin
Meaning of groin: The groin lies at the junction of the thigh and abdomen and contains major vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes.
Definition of groin
The groin is the region of the body located at the junction where each thigh meets the lower abdomen and pelvis. It spans the crease on either side of the body from the hip toward the pubic area and includes the skin, muscle, and deeper structures found in this transitional zone.
Beneath the surface, the groin contains the femoral artery, vein, and nerve as they pass from the abdomen into the leg, along with a cluster of lymph nodes and the inguinal canal, a passage through the lower abdominal wall. Because of these structures, the groin is a common site for hernias, for lymph node swelling related to infection or cancer elsewhere in the body, and for vascular access during certain procedures.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The physical examination included palpation of the groin for lymphadenopathy and hernia.
Good to know
Groin pain can originate from the hip joint, the lower spine, or abdominal structures rather than from the groin tissue itself, so the location of discomfort does not always match its source.