Hernias of the Abdominal Wall By Parswa Ansari, MD, Hofstra Northwell-Lenox Hill Hospital, New York Reviewed / Revised Apr 2023 View Patient Education Classification of Abdominal Hernias Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Topic Resources Umbilical Hernia Abdominal Hernia Inguinal Hernia A hernia of the abdominal wall is a protrusion of the abdominal contents through an acquired or congenital area of weakness or defect in the wall.