Ask a doctor - What types of hernias are there?

Q. What types of hernias are there?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

There are various types of hernias, all of which involve an organ or a fatty tissue pushing through an opening in the muscle or connective tissues. The three major types of hernias are: inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision) and hiatal (upper stomach).

Inguinal Hernia is the most common type, with two varieties: direct inguinal hernia and indirect inguinal hernia. Direct Inguinal Hernia occurs when intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall into the canal containing blood vessels leading to the legs. Indirect Inguinal Hernia occurs when fat from inside the abdomen pushes through layers of muscle near where the spermatic cord passes from abdomen into scrotum in males, or labial fold in females.

Incisional Hernia is a type that results after surgical incisions made in order to access organs inside your body during surgery. This type can occur months or even years after surgery due to weakening caused by scar tissue around wound area that allows organs to protrude outwards towards surface of skin as you move post-surgically.

Hiatal Hernia is characterized by displacement of part of stomach above diaphragm and into chest cavity causing acid reflux, heartburn and other unpleasant symptoms related to digestive tract disorders because food doesn’t move correctly toward intestines for digestion process. It can be caused by excessive strain on abdominal muscles such as those resulting from obesity, pregnancy or repeated vomiting among others factors associated with this condition.

Other types include umbilical hernia – protrusion at navel site usually seen in infants – femoral hernia – involving passage along outer edge thigh - epigastric hernia – appearing just above belly button but below breastbone - spigelian hernia – involving line between rectus abdominus muscle fibres running along side muscular attachments on spines fasciae latae ligament-and also obturator which is located near entry hip joint involving muscles within pelvic floor region making up opening within Femur bone shafts alongside nerve endings supplying nearby lower leg regions respectively..