Small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest.

Small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest.

• A. Inguinal hernia
• B. Umbilical hernia
• C. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• D. Hiatal hernia

Answer: (D)

A hole in the diaphragm through which the stomach can move upward into the chest is called a hiatal hernia. The esophageal hiatus is the natural opening where the esophagus passes into the abdomen; when part of the stomach herniates through that opening into the thoracic cavity, it fits this description exactly. The other hernias aren’t related to the stomach moving through the diaphragmatic opening: an inguinal hernia occurs in the groin, an umbilical hernia at the navel, and a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect involving a diaphragm defect that can allow abdominal contents into the chest but not specifically a small opening for the stomach via the esophageal hiatus.

A hole in the diaphragm through which the stomach can move upward into the chest is called a hiatal hernia. The esophageal hiatus is the natural opening where the esophagus passes into the abdomen; when part of the stomach herniates through that opening into the thoracic cavity, it fits this description exactly. The other hernias aren’t related to the stomach moving through the diaphragmatic opening: an inguinal hernia occurs in the groin, an umbilical hernia at the navel, and a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect involving a diaphragm defect that can allow abdominal contents into the chest but not specifically a small opening for the stomach via the esophageal hiatus.