Herniation
/ˌhɝː.niˈeɪ.ʃən/noun
The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening or weakened area in surrounding tissue.
Did you know?Ancient Greek used a word meaning “branch” or “sprout” for a protruding growth, giving herniation an unexpectedly botanical origin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁erh₁-
“To rise, grow, or emerge upward”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔρνος (ernos)
“A sprout, shoot, or branch”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἑρνίος (hernios)
“Protruding or bulging”
Classical Latin
Latin
hernia
“A protrusion of bodily tissue through a ruptured or weakened wall”
14th Century
Middle English
hernye
“A rupture or swelling caused by protruding internal tissue”
19th Century
English
herniation
“The act or condition of herniating; bodily protrusion through an abnormal opening”