Hernia
/ˈhɝː.ni.ə/noun
A condition in which an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or surrounding tissue.
Did you know?The word was already a technical term in classical Latin medicine, and its exact deeper origin is uncertain, which is why it’s one of those ancient body-words that feels older than the textbooks.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
hernia
“A protrusion of tissue through an abnormal opening in the body wall.”
16th Century
Latin
hernia
“A rupture or protrusion, especially of the abdomen.”
Classical Latin
Latin
hernia
“A rupture, swelling, or protruding mass; a hernia in the medical sense.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
unknown
“No secure etymology is established for this term.”