A Hernia Is Something Pushing Through Where It Should Not
A hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak point. The mechanism is the same wherever in the body it happens.
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or tissue through a weakness in the wall containing it. The mechanism is consistent wherever it occurs: pressure inside pushes contents through a gap in the muscle or membrane meant to hold them. Inguinal hernias in the groin are the most common, and repair is one of the most frequently performed operations in the world.
- A protrusion through a weak wall. *An inguinal hernia.*
- Herniated — protruding. *A herniated disc.*
- Rupture — an older word for a hernia. *Suffering from a rupture.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | hernia | A small hernia. |
| Plural | hernias | Recurrent hernias. |
| Adjective | herniated | A herniated disc. |
| Verb | herniate | The disc herniated. |
| Related | rupture | An old rupture. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Hernia repair is very common surgery.Millions each year worldwide.
- A herniated disc presses on a nerve.Spine.
- Rupture was the old English word.Now largely replaced.
Kinds of hernia
- Inguinal — in the groin, the most common
- Femoral — lower in the groin, more common in women
- Umbilical — at the navel
- Hiatus — stomach pushing up through the diaphragm
- Incisional — through the scar of a previous operation
From Latin *hernia*, a rupture, possibly related to a word meaning a bud or protrusion.
What is a hiatus hernia?
One where part of the stomach pushes up through the opening in the diaphragm, often causing acid reflux.
Why are hernias so common?
Because the abdominal wall has natural weak points, and pressure from lifting, coughing or straining acts on them over a lifetime.