hernia

[hur-nee-uh]

noun

Pathology.

plural

hernias, herniae 

1. the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in its surrounding walls, especially in the abdominal region.

hernia

/ ˈhɜːnɪə /

noun

1. Also called: rupture. the projection of an organ or part through the lining of the cavity in which it is normally situated, esp the protrusion of intestine through the front wall of the abdominal cavity. It is caused by muscular strain, injury, etc

hernia

1. A condition in which an organ or body part, such as the intestine, protrudes through an opening in the body structure that normally contains it.

hernia

1. The projection of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the structure that surrounds it. Most often, the term is applied to the protrusion of a part of the intestine that can be observed as a lump in the lower abdomen.

Other Word Forms

• hernial adjective
• herniated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hernia¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “a rupture”; akin to hīra “gut”; haruspex ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hernia¹

C14: from Latin

Example Sentences

The plan is to clear the four year waits for more than 3,000 patients on lists for hip, knee, hernia and colonoscopy procedures.

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He said he applied for Medicaid and went in to see a doctor, who diagnosed the condition as a hernia, likely related to the heavy lifting he does at work.

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In June 2023, the pontiff underwent another operation under general anesthetic to remove scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, problems incurred by his previous colon surgery.

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He was treated for infectious bronchitis in March 2023, and had surgery for an intestinal hernia later that year.

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Veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas also spent much of the winter on the mend, after developing an infection following hernia surgery early in the offseason that delayed his recovery by a couple of weeks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• fissure 
• fracture 
• schism