An inguinal hernia prosthesis includes a cord locating structure that provides cord protecting functions. The cord locating structure, which may be a semi-circular or other shaped recess positioned along a longitudinal peripheral edge of the prosthesis, is designed to only surround a portion of the cord, e.g. less than 180 or preferably 120 degrees, with the remaining cord circumference being positioned by the element against appropriate muscle tissue. The cord locating structure may be referenced as a non-encircling lateral cord locating structure. The prosthetic: provides tension free repair; minimizes cord damage through tissue ingrowth/strangulation effects, inadvertent suturing through the cord structure, and abrasion with the prosthetic; and minimizes size of prosthetic used in the repair; and is configured to reconstitutes the pre-hernia muscle physiology.