What is a diaphragmatic hernia?
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect, which is an abnormality that occurs before birth as a fetus is forming in the mother’s uterus. An opening is present in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity). With this type of birth defect, some of the organs that are normally found in the abdomen move up into the chest cavity through this abnormal opening. There are two types of diaphragmatic hernia: • Bochdalek hernia A Bochdalek hernia involves an opening on the left side of the diaphragm. The stomach and intestines usually move up into the chest cavity. • Morgagni hernia A Morgagni hernia involves an opening on the right side of the diaphragm. The liver and intestines usually move up into the chest cavity.
