Definition

Hernia is a general term for a bulge or protrusion of an organ through a part of the body in which it is usually contained.

Description

There are many different kinds of hernias. The most familiar are those that occur in the abdomen. In this type of hernia, a part of the intestines protrudes (sticks out) through the wall of the abdomen. An abdominal hernia can occur in different areas. The name given to the hernia depends on the location in which it occurs. Some examples of abdominal hernias are the following:

• An inguinal (pronounced IN-gwin-null) hernia appears in the groin. It may come and go depending on various factors, such as the amount of physical activity. Inguinal hernias account for 80 percent of all hernias. They are more common in men.
• Femoral (pronounced FEH-muh-rull) hernias are similar to inguinal hernias, but they occur lower in the body...