Chapter 15 The Gastrointestinal System Review Questions Related

Review Chapter 15 The Gastrointestinal System Review Questions related questions and content

A hiatal hernia is a weakness in the _____ muscle, which allows a portion of the digestive tract to enter the thoracic cavity.

  • A. diaphragm
  • B. stomach
  • C. intestinal
  • D. thoracic wall
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: diaphragm. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm known as the esophageal hiatus, allowing a portion of the stomach to enter the thoracic cavity. The other choices, B: stomach, C: intestinal, and D: thoracic wall, are incorrect because a hiatal hernia specifically involves a weakness in the diaphragm muscle, not in these other structures. The stomach is the organ affected by the hernia, but the primary issue lies in the diaphragm's weakness. The intestinal and thoracic wall choices are not directly related to the development of a hiatal hernia.