A 17 yr old boy has what appears to be a hernia on his right side of his pubic bone. how can we know for sure?

Clinical exam: Hernias are often diagnosed on clinical exam. Imaging with ultrasound and even ct can help in hard to determine cases.

Physician exam!: Any new bulge in the groin of a 17yo boy should be evaluated by a physician. Hernia is but one possibility, and a hernia can develop complications such as incarceration. Others can include swollen lymph node, hydrocele, undescended testicle, or tumor. This is not for on-line diagnosis--see your doctor.