Hernia vs. Hemorrhoid — What's the Difference?

A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Hernias come in a number of types.

Hemorrhoids, also spelled haemorrhoids, are vascular structures in the anal canal. In their normal state, they are cushions that help with stool control.

The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it; a rupture.

An itching or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue.

(diseases) A disorder in which a part of the body protrudes abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part, especially of the abdomen.

Hemorrhoids The pathological condition in which such painful masses occur. Also called piles.

A protrusion, consisting of an organ or part which has escaped from its natural cavity, and projects through some natural or accidental opening in the walls of the latter; as, hernia of the brain, of the lung, or of the bowels. Hernia of the abdominal viscera in most common. Called also rupture.

An engorged, dilated and easily broken varicosity in the perianal area, often accompanied by intense itching and throbbing pain: piles.

Rupture in smooth muscle tissue through which a bodily structure protrudes

Pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter