Final answer:
A hernia is the condition where the peritoneal sac and its contents protrude through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Peritonitis, potentially a severe complication resulting from hernias, is the inflammation of the peritoneum and requires emergency medical treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of herniation that occurs with protrusion of the peritoneal sac and its contents, such as omentum and abdominal viscera, is known as a hernia. The peritoneal cavity, bounded by the parietal peritoneum which lines the abdominal wall and the visceral peritoneum which envelopes the abdominal organs, can become compromised during a hernia. This allows parts of the abdomen, such as intestinal segments, to bulge through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Peritonitis, the inflammation of the peritoneum, is a serious and life-threatening condition that can occur if the herniated contents become strangulated or compromised, resulting in chemical, hemorrhagic, or bacterial peritonitis. Emergency surgeries and the improvements in medical care have significantly reduced the mortality rates of peritonitis, though they remain concerning at 30 to 40 percent.