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.
Review Date: 03/08/2008
Reviewed By: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington
University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review
provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
