Hiatal hernia

The esophagus enters the abdominal cavity from the posterior mediastinum through a hole in the posterior diaphragm. This hole is called a esophageal hiatus. The hiatal hernia and abdominal esophagus or viscera protrude into the thorax through this hole and its side. It is called hiatal hernias. Hiatal hernias are the most common in diaphragmatic hernias, accounting for over 90%. A hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis can exist simultaneously or separately. Understanding and distinguishing the two is important for clinical work.