what is a hernia?
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or piece of tissue from its normally contained space. In the abdomen, a hernia usually involves a piece of bowel, or omentum, which is a fatty apron that hangs down from the midportion of the colon (large intestine), protruding through a weak area in the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is made up of layers of different muscles and tissues.