Hiatus Hernia:

• Anatomy
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Surgery

The diaphragm is the muscle which separates the chest from the abdomen. The oesophagus must pass through this dividing structure.
If the "hole" enlarges then it is possible for part of the stomach to rise up into the chest.

There are two broad classes of hiatal hernias:

Sliding type - The junction of the stomach and oesophagus slides upwards into the chest. This is the most common scenario for hiatus hernias.

Rolling type - A portion of the stomach passes through the hiatus. There is a danger that the portion of stomach may become strangulated in this type of hernia.

Back to operations page...