Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

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The resulting symptoms of a hiatal hernia are referred to as:

Appendicitis
Gastritis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Enteritis

The correct answer is: Gastroesophageal reflux disease

The symptoms resulting from a hiatal hernia are indeed referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can lead to the malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter. This dysfunction permits stomach acid and, in some cases, stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain commonly associated with GERD. The direct connection between the mechanical disruption of the gastroesophageal junction due to a hiatal hernia and the resulting reflux symptoms clarifies why GERD is the correct term used for these symptoms. In contrast, appendicitis refers to the inflammation of the appendix, gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining, and enteritis pertains to inflammation of the intestines — none of which are related to the specific symptoms resulting from a hiatal hernia.