Hiatal hernia
An anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into the chest. Normally, the esophagus passes down through the chest, crosses the diaphragm, enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus and joins the stomach just below the diaphragm. When there is a hiatal hernia, the opening of the esophageal hiatus is larger than normal and a part of the stomach slips up or passes (herniates) through the hiatus and into the chest.
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hiatal hernia n a hernia in which an anatomical part (as the stomach) protrudes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
called also hiatus hernia
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hiatus hernia herniation of an abdominal organ, usually the stomach, through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm. It occurs in two major anatomic patterns: the sliding hiatal h. (type I), which is the more common type, and the paraesophageal h. (type II).
Medical dictionary.
2011.