Hiatus hernia – What is it?

Hiatus hernia is a type of diaphragmatic hernia. There are various types of diaphragmatic hernias. The term hiatus hernia infers to herniation through the esophageal hiatus. Diaphragm is the partition between the chest and the abdominal cavities.

It contains many hiatus. A hiatus is nothing but an opening. A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or structure in to an opening or pouch. So this implies that a hiatus hernia is the protrusion of an organ through an opening. The hiatus is the esophageal hiatus and the organ that protrudes is the stomach.

Types

There are two types of hiatus hernia. To understand these two types it is very essential to know about the gastroesophageal junction. It is the place where the esophagus is continuous with the stomach. It is at the level of the diaphragm and portion of the diaphragm encircles this part forming a pinchcock.

Sliding hiatus hernia –

In sliding hiatus hernia, the gastroesophageal junction is displaced upwards. The junction which normally lies at the level of the diaphragm is seen above the level of the diaphragm. In normal persons the stomach lies below the diaphragm. In sliding hiatus hernia, part of the stomach lies above the diaphragm. So in sliding hiatus hernia, the gastroesophageal junction and part of the stomach are seen above the diaphragm. The cause of sliding hernia is not clearly known. Its incidence keeps increasing with age.

Para- esophageal hernia –

In this type of hernia, the gastroesophageal junction is not displaced. Only the stomach is displaced. The stomach is displaced alongside the esophagus. The gastroesophageal junction remains in the normal position. In this the whole stomach can herniated. Sometimes even the intestine and spleen get herniated. So in paraesophageal hernia, the gastroesophageal junction is at the normal level and the stomach herniates alongside the esophagus. Sometimes paraesophageal hernias contain a sliding component in addition to the paraesophageal component and this combination is called mixed hernia.

Written by admin on June 2nd, 2008 with no comments.
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