Department of Surgery

A hernia is the protrusion of part of an internal organ through the wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed. The term hernia specifically refers to the opening in the enclosure wall but the hernia only becomes noticeable when an internal organ begins to bulge through it.

A hernia becomes serious if the internal organ tissues become trapped in the bulging position. This is called "incarceration" and may lead to the blood supply to the trapped section being cut off which could lead to damage or death of that section of organ tissue. This condition of "incarceration" requires immediate surgery.

Most hernias occur in the muscular lining of the abdomen. An abdominal wall hernia will be noticed as a lump or bulge in the abdomen. The name of the type of hernia depends on its location: