What are the types of hernias?
Depending upon the body part involved the most common types of hernias are: • Inguinal hernia – Inguinal or groin hernias are more common in males. Normally a tough layer of tissue called the fascia transversalis, surrounds the abdominal cavity. There is a small natural hole in this layer called the internal inguinal ring. If this hole enlarges, the intestines may bulge through the internal inguinal ring. The protruded intestines lie under the skin in a sort of bag, the hernias sac and contents are externally visible as a lump in the groin. • Hiatus hernia – A muscular diaphragm separates structures in the chest from those in the abdomen. The oesophagus, or food pipe, passes through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm to enter the abdomen and join the stomach. The stomach is mobile in the abdominal cavity and sometimes slides through the oesophageal hiatus to partly enter the chest. This condition is called a hiatus hernia. • Umbilical hernia – This occurs when protrusion of intestine