Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition where part of the stomach pushes upward through the diaphragm: A hiatal hernia is a specific type of hernia. It occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through an opening (the hiatus) in the diaphragm, the large muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor diagnosed the patient with a hiatal hernia after reviewing the X-ray.
  • Symptoms of a hiatal hernia can include heartburn and chest pain.
  • A small hiatal hernia often requires no treatment.

Advanced Usage

• "Sliding hiatal hernia": The most common type, where the stomach and the section of the esophagus that joins the stomach slide up into the chest through the hiatus.

  • The gastroenterologist explained that his condition was a sliding hiatal hernia.

• "Paraesophageal hiatal hernia": A less common but more serious type where part of the stomach squeezes through the hiatus next to the esophagus, while the esophagus and stomach remain in their normal locations.

  • Surgery is often recommended for a large paraesophageal hiatal hernia to prevent complications.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiatus hernia (n): An alternative term for hiatal hernia, more commonly used in British English.

  • The medical report from the UK listed a diagnosis of hiatus hernia.

• Hernia (n): The general term for the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening.

  • A hiatal hernia is one of several types of hernia.

Synonyms

• Diaphragmatic hernia: A broader term that can refer to any hernia through the diaphragm, which includes but is not limited to a hiatal hernia.

Related Phrases

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): A common condition often associated with a hiatal hernia, where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.
  • A hiatal hernia can contribute to the severity of GERD symptoms.

Noun

1. hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm