DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA Meaning and
Definition
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Diaphragmatic hernia refers to a medical condition in which there is an abnormal opening or weakness in the diaphragm, the muscular sheet that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This opening allows the organs from the abdomen, such as the stomach, liver, spleen, or intestines, to protrude or move into the chest cavity, potentially causing compression or displacement of the lungs and heart.
This condition can either be congenital, meaning present at birth, or acquired later in life due to injury or trauma. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias occur during fetal development when the diaphragm fails to fully close, allowing abdominal organs to pass through the defect into the chest cavity. The specific cause of this developmental defect is often unknown, but there are certain risk factors associated with it, including genetic factors or certain maternal health conditions.
Symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia can vary depending on the size of the hernia and the organs involved but commonly include difficulty breathing, fast breathing, cyanosis (bluish skin due to lack of oxygen), rapid heartbeat, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or poor feeding. Diagnosis is typically made through physical examination, imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds, and sometimes by prenatal screening for congenital cases.
Treatment for diaphragmatic hernia usually involves surgical repair to close the opening in the diaphragm. This is often performed soon after birth in the case of congenital hernias, while in acquired hernias the timing of surgery depends on the severity of symptoms. Complications can arise due to this condition, such as respiratory distress, infections, or abnormalities in organ function. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and appropriate medical intervention are crucial in managing diaphragmatic hernia.
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The passage of a loop of intestine through the diaphragm; it is called a true h., when there is a sac of peritoneum and pleura, false when the intestine passes through a defect in the diaphragm and lies free in the thoracic cavity; diaphragmatocele.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA
- siaphragmatic hernia
- xiaphragmatic hernia
- ciaphragmatic hernia
- fiaphragmatic hernia
- riaphragmatic hernia
- eiaphragmatic hernia
- duaphragmatic hernia
- djaphragmatic hernia
- dkaphragmatic hernia
- doaphragmatic hernia
- d9aphragmatic hernia
- d8aphragmatic hernia
- dizphragmatic hernia
- disphragmatic hernia
- diwphragmatic hernia
- diqphragmatic hernia
- diaohragmatic hernia
- dialhragmatic hernia
- dia-hragmatic hernia
Etymology of DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA
The word "diaphragmatic hernia" is composed of two parts: "diaphragmatic" and "hernia".
The term "diaphragmatic" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "diaphragma", which means "partition" or "barrier". In human anatomy, the diaphragm is a muscular partition that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
The word "hernia" is derived from the Latin word "hernia", which means "protrusion" or "rupture". It refers to a condition where an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue.
Therefore, "diaphragmatic hernia" is a medical term that describes a condition in which organs or tissues from the abdomen protrude through a defect or weakness in the diaphragm.
Similar spelling word for DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA
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