What is the definition of a hernia?!
Question: What is the definition of a hernia.?
everybody tells me somethin different. so what do u think the definition of it is.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Interesting question, I've had some experience with this, and it seems that even many medical professionals don't really understand the correct definition of a hernia.
I'd say the most basic definition is an opening or perforation in the tissue containing an organ which can allow the organ to protrude outside of its normal confines within the body.
Many people tend to think of hernias as an organ protrusion in the groin area, but groin hernias are only one type of hernia. It frequently occurs in the groin area, but can occur anywhere in the body.
Another misconception is that a hernia is defined by the protrusion of the organ, rather than the opening or perforation that allows the protrusion.
When an organ protrudes and can be pushed back inside, it's called a reducible hernia, when it can't be pushed back, it's called an incarcerated hernia. And when an incarcerated hernia blocks blood flow and causes organ tissue death, that's a strangulated hernia, which can be fatal.
But the true definition of a hernia does not require a visible organ protrusion, either reducible or incarcerated. The Wikipedia entry cited by the previous answerer is not strictly correct in its definition either, as there are cases where a hernia does NOT form a discernible hernia "sac." As long as there is an unnatural perforation of the tissue which COULD allow organ protrusion, that's a hernia.
I suffered a long time with an undiagnosed hernia, simply because doctors and other medical professionals assumed I couldn't have a hernia because: A. They weren't used to seeing hernias in the particular location I had mine, and B. They thought that since there was no visible incarceration of the organ, that meant there was no hernia, and C. They were too arrogant to consider the possibility that they might be wrong. Idiots!
The lesson I learned is that there are plenty of people who make it through medical school and go on to have successful careers in the medical profession without ever fully understanding some of the basic concepts of their field. Always be skeptical of what your doctors tell you. They usually know a lot LESS than they THINK they do!Health Question & Answer
I'd say the most basic definition is an opening or perforation in the tissue containing an organ which can allow the organ to protrude outside of its normal confines within the body.
Many people tend to think of hernias as an organ protrusion in the groin area, but groin hernias are only one type of hernia. It frequently occurs in the groin area, but can occur anywhere in the body.
Another misconception is that a hernia is defined by the protrusion of the organ, rather than the opening or perforation that allows the protrusion.
When an organ protrudes and can be pushed back inside, it's called a reducible hernia, when it can't be pushed back, it's called an incarcerated hernia. And when an incarcerated hernia blocks blood flow and causes organ tissue death, that's a strangulated hernia, which can be fatal.
But the true definition of a hernia does not require a visible organ protrusion, either reducible or incarcerated. The Wikipedia entry cited by the previous answerer is not strictly correct in its definition either, as there are cases where a hernia does NOT form a discernible hernia "sac." As long as there is an unnatural perforation of the tissue which COULD allow organ protrusion, that's a hernia.
I suffered a long time with an undiagnosed hernia, simply because doctors and other medical professionals assumed I couldn't have a hernia because: A. They weren't used to seeing hernias in the particular location I had mine, and B. They thought that since there was no visible incarceration of the organ, that meant there was no hernia, and C. They were too arrogant to consider the possibility that they might be wrong. Idiots!
The lesson I learned is that there are plenty of people who make it through medical school and go on to have successful careers in the medical profession without ever fully understanding some of the basic concepts of their field. Always be skeptical of what your doctors tell you. They usually know a lot LESS than they THINK they do!Health Question & Answer
Go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HerniaHealth Question & Answer