Normally the entire stomach sits below the diaphragm. The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus before it enters the stomach. Weakened tissues within and around the ...

A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms and is often associated with acid reflux. Symptoms ...

Dear K.D.: The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body that comes directly off of the heart, goes down through the chest and diaphragm via the aortic hiatus, and into the abdomen.