Human herpesvirus 5. See cytomegalovirus.

Human herpesvirus 8, a herpesvirus that contributes to the development of Kaposi sarcoma, an otherwise rare form of cancer sometimes seen in AIDS patients, and to some B-cell lymphomas. The predominant route of HHV-8 transmission is sexual. An additional route is via blood contact among injection drug users. Diagnosis is by rapid blood culture or […]

Pertaining to an hiatus, an opening. An hiatal hernia occurs when a part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm at the opening where the esophagus normally passes through the diaphragm. “Hiatus” in Latin means an opening.

An opening, as in the diaphragm. When there is an unusually wide opening in the diaphragm, there can be a hiatus (or hiatal) hernia. In Latin an hiatus is “an opening, gaping mouth, or chasm.” It is derived from the verb “hiare” meaning “to gape or yawn.” Therefore, a “hiatus” is a gaping opening in […]

An anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into the chest. Normally, the esophagus passes down through the chest, crosses the diaphragm, enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus and joins the stomach just below the diaphragm. When there is a hiatal hernia, […]