The esophageal hiatus is an elliptically shaped opening produced most often by parts of the right diaphragmatic crus, which encircles the distal section of the esophagus in a sling-like form.
Hiatal hernia in the Esophagus
A hiatal hernia is a medical ailment in which the top portion of the stomach or another internal organ bulges through a diaphragm hole. The diaphragm is a muscular tissue that aids in respiration and has a small hole, known as a hiatus, through which the esophagus travels before joining to the stomach. This is referred to as the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).
The stomach pushes through the gap and into the chest in a hiatal hernia, compromising the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES's laxity can allow stomach contents and acid to back up into the esophagus, which is the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While minor Hiatal hernias are generally asymptomatic and may be treated conservatively, big Hiatal hernias sometimes necessitate surgery.