hernia

American  

[hur-nee-uh] / ˈhɜr ni ə /

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.

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hernia British  

/ 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

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hernia Scientific  

/ hûr′nē-ə /

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.

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hernia Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• hernial adjective
• herniated adjective

Etymology

Origin of hernia

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

Explanation

A hernia is a rip in your muscle tissue that leads to an organ protruding through the muscle. It's painful and dangerous. Your organs all have a place in your body. However, sometimes an injury causes a rip in your soft muscle tissue, pushing an organ out of its home. This injury is a hernia, which often involves the abdomen bursting through the surrounding tissue. Sometimes people get a hernia after trying to lift something too heavy. A hernia can also involve a spinal disc that gets pushed out of place. Any type of hernia is a very serious medical condition.

Example Sentences

Vaginal mesh implants are described as medical devices - hernia mesh is used in men.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Prior to the hernia surgery, the former president underwent intestinal surgery in April.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup d'etat, underwent successful surgery on Thursday to repair an inguinal hernia, his wife said.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Tuesday granted permission for Bolsonaro to temporarily leave prison and be transferred to a hospital on Wednesday for a hernia operation on 25 December.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

“His hernia must have really hurt,” she said thoughtfully.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• breach
• fissure
• fracture
• schism