MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hiatal hernia

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Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes up into the chest through the sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. This may result from a weakening of the surrounding tissues and may be aggravated by obesity and/or smoking.

Update Date: 5/4/2006

Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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