When an organ or tissue abnormally protrudes out of the body cavity, it's called a hernia. The most common hernias, by far, develop in the adbdomen. In this case a weakeness in the abdonimal wall turns into a centralized hole, through which an organ or tissue will protrude.

Hernia's are often times compared to the failure of the tire, where a split in the sidewall allows the inner tube to protrude through to the outside. In that example the inner tube of the tire is like the organ that breaks outwards through the opening in the sidewall. It is this pressure outwards, and the limit of restraint inwards that allows the bulge to develop.

Besides the hernia's that can develop in the adbomen there is several others:

Internal hernia - hernia into or involving an intraabdominal structure

Spigelian hernia - hernia through the linea semilunaris

Sliding hernia - the hernia sac is partially formed by the wall of a viscus

Littre's hernia - hernia involving a Meckel's erticulum

Obturator hernia - hernia through obturator canal

Lumbar hernia / Petit's hernia - hernia through Petit's triangle

Grynfeltt's hernia - hernia through Grynfeltt-Lesshaft triangle

Although hernia's are often as a result of a hereditary trait there is several different things that you can do to prevent them from occuring. It's actually extremely easy to prevent hernia's and the two most common area's where people lose are in: Maintaining a healthy weight, and regularly excercising. Both of these things help to ensure that the body is not dealing with any extra strain that it cannot handle, and will help you in all area's to have a healthier and fuller life.