Definition: A hernia is the protrusion of an
organ or tissue outside of the body cavity inside which it is normally
located.
The most common type of hernia is the hiatus hernia,
in which the stomach
passes, partly or completely, into the chest cavity through the hole
("hernia") for the oesophagus
(which is also known colloquially as the "windpipe" or "gullet").
Medical complications of hernias may include:
- Cannot return the tissues of the hernia to their
usual state (irreducible).
-
Tissues of the hernia become swollen and fixed
within their sac (incarcerated).
-
Hearnia becomes cut-off from blood supply, becoming
painful and eventually gangrenous (strangulated).
The usual medical treatment for hernias (especially
painful ones) is surgical repair.
More about the Digestive
System:
This section includes pages about:
*
Introduction to the Digestive System
*
Terminology about Digestion
* Passage
through the alimentary tract
* Component Parts of the Digestive System, incl. Teeth,
Stomach,
Liver,
Small
Intestine,
Large Intestine
* Chemical
Processes in the Digestive System (introductory level)
*
Diseases and Disorders of the Digestive System.
For further information see also our pages of
books about gastroenterology. |
  |
This section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Digestive System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the digestive
system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
See also glossary pages about
Tissues
and Organs of the
Digestive System. |
