PARAESOPHAGEAL HERNIAS Meaning and
Definition
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Paraesophageal hernias, also known as rolling hernias or type II hiatal hernias, are a particular type of hernia that occurs in the upper part of the abdomen. Specifically, these hernias involve the upper portion of the stomach protruding through the diaphragm and into the chest, alongside the esophagus.
In a normal anatomy, the diaphragm muscle helps to separate the chest cavity from the abdomen. However, in cases of paraesophageal hernias, there is an abnormal opening in the diaphragm that allows the stomach to push through and reside next to the esophagus. This displacement of the stomach can result in various complications and symptoms.
The main characteristic of paraesophageal hernias is that the gastroesophageal junction, where the esophagus meets the stomach, remains in its correct position while the stomach itself shifts upwards. Symptoms that may arise from paraesophageal hernias include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, regurgitation, bloating, and even shortness of breath in severe cases. Additionally, there is a risk of complications such as gastric volvulus, where the herniated stomach twists on itself, leading to reduced blood flow to the stomach.
Diagnosis of paraesophageal hernias is typically made through medical imaging tests such as X-rays, barium swallow studies, or upper endoscopy. Treatment often involves surgical intervention, as the hernia tends to progressively worsen over time and typically cannot be resolved with medication or lifestyle changes alone. The objective of surgery is to reposition the stomach back into its normal location and repair the diaphragmatic opening to prevent further herniation.
Common Misspellings for PARAESOPHAGEAL HERNIAS
- oaraesophageal hernias
- laraesophageal hernias
- -araesophageal hernias
- 0araesophageal hernias
- pzraesophageal hernias
- psraesophageal hernias
- pwraesophageal hernias
- pqraesophageal hernias
- paeaesophageal hernias
- padaesophageal hernias
- pafaesophageal hernias
- pataesophageal hernias
- pa5aesophageal hernias
- pa4aesophageal hernias
- parzesophageal hernias
- parsesophageal hernias
- parwesophageal hernias
- parqesophageal hernias
- parawsophageal hernias
- parassophageal hernias
Etymology of PARAESOPHAGEAL HERNIAS
The word "paraesophageal hernias" can be broken down into two parts:
1. "Para-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "pará" meaning "beside" or "alongside".
2. "Esophageal" is an adjective that refers to the esophagus, which is the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
3. "Hernia" originates from the Latin word "hernia" meaning "rupture" or "protrusion".
Therefore, a "paraesophageal hernia" refers to a type of hernia that occurs beside or alongside the esophagus, where a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
