hiatal hernia

noun

Definition of hiatal hernia

: protrusion of part of the stomach upward into the chest cavity through the passage in the diaphragm for the esophagus usually with movement of the opening of the esophagus into the stomach to a position above the diaphragm — called also hiatus hernia

First Known Use of hiatal hernia

circa 1944

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

hiatal hernia

noun

variants: also hiatus hernia

medical Definition of hiatal hernia

: herniation of an abdominal organ; specifically : protrusion of part of the stomach upward into the chest cavity through the passage in the diaphragm for the esophagus that is typically accompanied with movement of the opening of the esophagus into the stomach to a position above the diaphragm and that may be asymptomatic or be accompanied by symptoms typical of gastroesophageal reflux (such as heartburn, belching, or bloating).