HIATAL HERNIA Meaning and
Definition
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A hiatal hernia is a medical condition characterized by the protrusion of the upper part of the stomach into the chest cavity through the diaphragm, a large muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. It is caused by a weakening or widening of the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes.
When a person has a hiatal hernia, the upper portion of the stomach pushes or bulges through the diaphragm and into the chest, creating a bulge or lump. This displacement can lead to various symptoms, including heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, chest pain or discomfort, belching, and a feeling of fullness after meals. In some cases, hiatal hernias may remain asymptomatic and only be discovered incidentally during medical examinations for other conditions.
There are two main types of hiatal hernias: sliding hernia and paraesophageal hernia. Sliding hernias are the most common type and occur when the junction between the esophagus and stomach, known as the gastroesophageal junction, and a portion of the stomach slide up into the chest. Paraesophageal hernias, on the other hand, happen when a part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm and remains in place, while the gastroesophageal junction remains in its normal position.
Treatment for hiatal hernia depends on the severity of symptoms and may vary from lifestyle modifications to medications or, in severe cases, surgery to repair or tighten the opening in the diaphragm to prevent the stomach's upward movement.
Common Misspellings for HIATAL HERNIA
- giatal hernia
- biatal hernia
- niatal hernia
- jiatal hernia
- uiatal hernia
- yiatal hernia
- huatal hernia
- hjatal hernia
- hkatal hernia
- hoatal hernia
- h9atal hernia
- h8atal hernia
- hiztal hernia
- histal hernia
- hiwtal hernia
- hiqtal hernia
- hiaral hernia
- hiafal hernia
- hiagal hernia
Etymology of HIATAL HERNIA
The word "hiatal hernia" has its etymology rooted in two separate sources.
The term "hiatal" derives from the word "hiatus", which comes from Latin. In Latin, "hiatus" means a gap, an opening, or a break. It was borrowed into English, retaining its original meaning, to describe an anatomical or temporal gap, break, or pause.
The word "hernia" has its origins in Latin as well. It comes from the Latin word "hernia", which means a rupture or a protrusion. This word was also adopted by English, referring to the abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.
Similar spelling word for HIATAL HERNIA
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