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. )

Example Sentences

Eisenberger, who is married with two children, had a pair of hernias and put off surgery as long as he could.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bolsonaro, 70, has been hospitalized for more than a week after undergoing surgery for a groin hernia and then a procedure to treat recurring bouts of hiccups.

From Barron's

Days earlier, on Christmas Day, he underwent a successful surgery for a double hernia, his wife Michelle confirmed.

From BBC

This latest procedure comes after the 70-year-old successfully underwent surgery for a double hernia earlier this week, after being granted permission to be transferred to hospital.

From BBC

The surgery is to repair an inguinal hernia -- a protrusion in the groin area due to a tear in the abdominal muscles.

From Barron's

Related Words

• breach
• fissure
• fracture
• schism