A hiatal hernia is a movement of part of the stomach up into the
chest cavity. The stomach presses up through a small hole in the
diaphragm muscle. The diaphragm is the muscular wall that
separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. Different
types of hiatal hernias include: - Sliding hiatal hernia—part of
the stomach slides into and out of the chest cavity. This is the
most common type. - Fixed hiatal hernia—upper part of the
stomach remains in the chest cavity. - Complicated hiatal
hernia—Several other types of stomach herniation may be seen.
These are uncommon but more serious and may require surgery.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. The exact cause of
hiatal hernias is not clear. Some people are born with a hiatal
hernia but most will develop it later in life. The diaphragm has
an opening that the esophagus can pass through. A weakening or
injury to this opening can allow a hiatal hernia to develop.
Increased pressure in the abdomen can also push the stomach up
into the chest cavity. Hiata