What condition involves the stomach protruding into the chest cavity?

The condition in which the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity is a hiatal hernia. It occurs when part of the stomach passes upward through the esophageal hiatus, the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus enters the abdomen.

The most common form is a sliding hiatal hernia, in which the gastroesophageal junction and a portion of the stomach move above the diaphragm. A paraesophageal hernia is different: part of the stomach moves beside the esophagus while the gastroesophageal junction may remain in place. Large hernias can cause pressure, swallowing difficulty, or breathing discomfort.

Hiatal hernias are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux because the normal barrier between the stomach and esophagus is disrupted. Heartburn is common, but many hiatal hernias cause no symptoms and are found incidentally during endoscopy or imaging. The other choices are abdominal-wall hernias at different locations: incisional hernias occur at surgical scars, umbilical hernias near the navel, and inguinal hernias in the groin.