National Nursing Review : Nursing Study Resources & Health Tips

What is a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is the transition of part of the stomach into the chest through the diaphragm. It occurs when the fixations of the stomach and lower esophagus are failing. It may be of two types: the most frequent (90% of cases), part of the stomach and the cardia (junction of the esophagus and stomach) slide both in the chest: it the sliding hiatal hernia.

More rarely, a part of the stomach enters the chest by sliding along the esophagus, the cardia remains in its normal position under the diaphragm, the abdominal cavity: the rolling hiatus hernia.
This anatomical abnormality may be intermittent or permanent. It may be easier and makes more particularly the prolonged reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. (more…)