Section II. HERNIAS
3-5.
INTRODUCTION
A hernia is a condition in which a structure, organ, or part of an organ protrudes
(bulges) out through the wall of its body cavity. As the organ or structure bulges out of
its body cavity, it becomes enclosed in a pouch called a hernial sac. The hernial sac is
made up of tissues that line the body cavity. Nonmedical people frequently use the
word rupture to refer to a hernia. Hernias are the most common type of muscle disorder
and occur in areas in which there is a structural weakness in the wall of the body cavity.
For example, the lower part of the abdominal wall has structural weak points at the
places where large blood vessels and nerves leave the abdomen and enter the leg. In
men, the place where the spermatic cord passes up from the testes and enters the
abdominal cavity is another structural weak point. The first sign of a hernia may be a
lump or swelling appearing on the abdomen underneath the skin. The swelling may be
large or small, depending on how much of the structure or organ has bulged out of its
cavity. Whether a person is born with a weakness in a body cavity wall or later
develops such a weakness, an individual who strains to lift heavy objects or bears down
strongly increases the risk of developing a hernia.
3-6.
TYPES OF HERNIA
Types of hernia discussed in this lesson are the inguinal hernia, abdominal
hernia, and hiatus hernia. Abdominal hernias are further subdivided to include femoral
hernia, umbilical hernial, and ventral (incisional) hernia. The hiatal hernia is considered
an upper gastrointestinal problem. The inguinal and abdominal hernias are considered
lower gastrointestinal disorders. Three types of hernias have been named according to
the weak point on the abdominal wall where they occur. The inguinal hernia occurs at
the inguinal ring, the point on the abdominal wall where the inguinal canal begins. The
femoral hernia occurs at the femoral ring which is the abdominal opening of the femoral
canal. The umbilical hernia occurs at the navel. The incisional hernia gets its name not
from the location of a body cavity weakness but from the fact that the hernia occurs
through the scar of a surgical incision.
3-7.
HIATUS HERNIA (UPPER GI SYSTEM)
a. Definition. A hiatus or hiatal hernia results from a gap in the diaphragm that
permits a part of the stomach, intestine, or other organ to move up into the chest. The
most common form of this hernia is a sliding hiatus hernia; the lowermost part of the
esophagus has moved above the diaphragm and brought a part of the stomach with it.
In another type of hiatus hernia, the paraesophageal hernia, the esophagus stays in the
normal place but part of the stomach has moved through the hiatus to rest beside the
esophagus.
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