An inguinal hernia occurs when the tissue such as part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object.

An umbilical hernia occurs when part of your intestine bulges through the opening in your abdominal muscles near your belly button (navel). Umbilical hernias are common and are typically harmless. Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well.

A ventral hernia occurs at any location along the midline (vertical center). Umbilical and incisional hernias are specific types of ventral hernias.

A divarication is a pronounced ridge of weakened tissue that runs vertically from the breast bone to the pubic bone. It is especially prominent when the abdominal muscles are tensed. A divarication occurs anytime a patient develops enlargement of the abdomen either after pregnancy, weight gain or due to fluid in the abdomen from liver disease. Swelling of the abdomen causes the muscles to separate and a bulge occurs between them.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges through the large muscle separating your abdomen and chest (diaphragm). Your diaphragm has a small opening (hiatus) through which your food tube (esophagus) passes before connecting to your stomach. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes up through that opening and into your chest.

Diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect where there is a hole in the diaphragm (the large muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen). Organs in the abdomen (such as intestines, stomach, and liver) can move through the hole in the diaphragm and upwards into a baby’s chest. A diaphragmatic hernia can prevent the baby’s lungs from developing completely, causing breathing difficulties for the baby at birth.