What is diaphragmatic hernia?

Hole in Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the chest- from the abdominal cavity; a diaphragmatic hernia is a hole in this muscle. By far, the most common type is a hiatal hernia, which is an enlargement of the normal hole in the diaphragm thru which the esophagus passes to enter into the abdomen. The stomach may then slide up thru this hole, which can cause acid reflux.

Bowel in chest: Bowel pokes through defect in diaphragm and gets into chest cavity. Congenital causes poor development of the affected lung, causing a newborn to need a ventilator or ecmo. Adults can get with abdomen trauma, like stab wounds that cut the diaphragm. Less dangerous because lung is normal and should re-expand when fixed. Similar is hiatal hernia, where stomach slides through opening for esophagus.