Strangulated hernia. Illustration of the intestine bulging through the abdominal wall, depicting a strangulated hernia. A hernia (rupture) is the protrusion of an organ or tissue out through the wall of the body cavity in which it normally lies. At lower frame, part of the intestine is seen protruding through muscles (white, red) of the abdominal wall. The protruding region is pink due to impaired blood supply, caused by a restriction from the abdominal wall. Known as a strangulated hernia, this condition requires urgent surgical treatment or gangrene (tissue death) may result. A hernia usually results from physical straining, such as caused by lifting heavy objects.