hernia

[hur-nee-uh] /ˈhɜr ni ə/

noun, plural hernias, herniae

[hur-nee-ee] /ˈhɜr niˌi/ (Show IPA). Pathology

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

Compare hiatus hernia, strangulated hernia.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English < Latin: a rupture; akin to hīra gut; see haruspex

Related forms

hernial, adjective

Examples from the web for hernia

Another common hernia involves the intervertebral disc, and causes back pain or sciatica.
Repair techniques are similar for femoral and inguinal hernia.
Brain hernia herniation of part of the brain because of excessive intracranial pressure.
This type of hernia is only a rare cause of sciatic neuralgia.
The hernia itself poses no symptoms, but preoccupies the sufferer.
The hernia compresses the adjacent nerves and causes back pain.

British Dictionary definitions for hernia

hernia

/ˈhɜːnɪə/

noun (pl) -nias, -niae (-nɪˌiː)

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 Also called rupture

Derived Forms

hernial, adjective
herniated, adjective

Word Origin

C14: from Latin

Word Origin and History for hernia

late 14c., hirnia, from Latin hernia "a rupture," related to hira "intestine," PIE *ghere- "gut, entrail" (see yarn). The re-Latinized spelling is from 17c. Related: Herniated (1879).

hernia in Medicine

hernia her·ni·a (hûr'nē-ə)
n. pl. her·ni·as
The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it.

her'ni·al adj.

hernia in Science

hernia

(hûr'nē-ə)
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 in Culture

hernia [(hur-nee-uh)]

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.