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Glite Dictionary
diaphragmatic hernia

diaphragmatic hernia

1 7.1
A hole in the muscle between chest and belly that lets stomach or other organs push through
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪəfræɡˈmætɪk ˈhɜrniə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hernia diafragmática
  • She was born with an unexpected congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Examples

  • After the baby was born, the pediatrician confirmed that he had a diaphragmatic hernia that needed treatment.

  • Due to her diaphragmatic hernia, she experienced difficulty breathing and had to see a specialist.

  • My unborn niece had congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

    Blog text (33)

  • The doctors diagnosed her with a diaphragmatic hernia which required immediate surgery.

Synonyms

hernia
vsdiaphragmatic hernia
  • Specialized
42 5.6

A lump in the body where an organ pushes through a weak spot in the muscle

focuses specifically on abdominal organs pushing through the diaphragm
herniation
vsdiaphragmatic hernia
  • Specialized
2 8.1

Part of an organ or tissue pushes through a tear in the surrounding muscle

describes a specific case where abdominal organs move through the diaphragm
hiatus hernia
vsdiaphragmatic hernia
  • UK
1 6.2

Part of the stomach pushes up through the muscle under the lungs into the chest

is broader, includes other abdominal organs protruding through the diaphragm

Surface Forms

diaphragmatic hernia singular
diaphragmatic hernias plural

Morphology

diaphragmatic + hernia

The adjective 'diaphragmatic' specifies the location (the diaphragm) and 'hernia' denotes tissue bulging through muscle, so the combined meaning — a hernia involving the diaphragm — is directly derivable from the constituents. Although medical in register, this location-adjective + pathology-noun composition is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

Diaphragmatic hernia comes from the literal idea of a hernia (something 'pushing through') in the diaphragm (the main 'breathing muscle' between chest and belly). When part of the stomach pushes through a hole in the diaphragm into the chest, it can press on the lungs, so the term describes that problem.