Hiatus (anatomy)

In anatomy, a hiatus is a natural fissure in a structure. Examples include:

• Adductor hiatus
• Aortic hiatus
• Esophageal hiatus, the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes from the thorax into the abdomen
• Greater petrosal nerve hiatus
• Maxillary hiatus
• Sacral hiatus
• Semilunar hiatus
• Urogenital hiatus