hernia /hur″nē·ə/ [L, rupture] , protrusion or projection of an organ through an abnormal opening in the muscle wall of the cavity that surrounds it. A hernia may be congenital, may result from the failure of certain structures to close after birth, or may be acquired later in life as a result of obesity, muscular weakness, surgery, or illness. Kinds include abdominal hernia, diaphragmatic hernia, femoral hernia, hiatal hernia, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia. See also herniorrhaphy.
