abdomen

abdomen,

in humans and other vertebrates, portion of the trunk between the diaphragm and lower pelvis. In humans the wall of the abdomen is a muscular structure covered by fascia, fat, and skin. The abdominal cavity is lined with a thin membrane, the peritoneum, which encloses the stomach, intestines, liver, and gall bladder; the pancreas, kidneys, and urinary bladder are located behind the peritoneum. The abdomen of the female also contains the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The navel, or umbilicus, an exterior scar on the front of the abdomen, marks the point of attachment of the fetus to the maternal organism before birth. In insects, crustacea, and some other arthropods, the term abdomen refers to the entire rear portion of the body.

Abdomen

the part of the body of arthropods behind the thorax. The abdomen is clearly articulated in most arthropods; in spiders and ticks the abdominal rings coalesce. The exoskeleton of each distinct segment of the abdomen usually consists of two half-rings: the dorsal plate (tergite) and abdominal half-ring (sternite). The abdomen is connected to the thorax by either the wide (sessile abdomen) or narrow (pedicellate abdomen) anterior part. Only in higher crustaceans does the abdomen have normally developed extremities. In lower crustaceans, arachnids, and some insects, the abdomen completely lacks extremities. In lower insects (bristle-tails), the extremities of the abdomen are either rudimentary or modified into sexual appendages (at the eighth and ninth segments) or cerci (tail fila; at the 11th segment). Higher insects have only sexual appendages and cerci.

Abdomen

the portion of the trunk in man that contains the abdominal cavity and its walls.

The walls of the abdomen are formed by skin, muscles, aponeuroses, and fasciae. The posterior wall includes the spinal column (from the 12th thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra); anteriorly and from the sides at the upper portions of the abdomen, the walls are reinforced by the ribs (from the seventh to the 12th) and, in part, by the sternum.

The linea alba abdominis projects along the middle of the anterior wall. The linea alba, a band 2–3 mm wide (sometimes wider), extending from the xiphoid process of the sternum to the pubic symphysis, is formed by the union of the aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles. The line is broadest in the umbilical region. Above, on the anterior wall, the substernal angle, where the costal arches converge, can be distinguished; below, the iliac crests and inguinal ligaments, which separate the abdomen from the hips, stand out in relief. Two transverse lines, the upper connecting the lower points of the tenth ribs and the lower connecting the anterosuperior spines of the pelvic bones (the most prominent bony processes), are considered to divide the anterior wall of the abdomen into the epigastric, celiac, and hypogastric regions. Two longitudinal lines, coinciding with the outer margins of the rectus abdominis muscles, divide the epigastrium into the right and left subcostal regions and the epigastric region proper, the celiac region into the right and left lateral and umbilical regions, and the hypogastrium into the right and left inguinal and pubic regions. In the inguinal region, the inguinal canals (through which pass the spermatic cords of males and the round ligaments of the uterus in females) extend parallel to the inguinal ligaments on the right and left. The internal and external openings of the inguinal canal, the umbilical region, and lumbar triangle are the weakest places in the abdominal wall. Under unfavorable conditions these regions become the sites of abdominal hernias. The shape of the abdomen varies with physique, age, fat deposits, size of the viscera, and the degree of development and condition of the muscles.

V. V. KUPRIANOV

abdomen

[ab′dōm·ən or ′ab·də‚mən] (anatomy) The portion of the vertebrate body between the thorax and the pelvis. The cavity of this part of the body. (invertebrate zoology) The elongate region posterior to the thorax in arthropods.

abdomen

1. the region of the body of a vertebrate that contains the viscera other than the heart and lungs. In mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm 2. (in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments

Abdomen

(dreams)Dreaming about any body part is a way to bring the dreamer’s conscious attention to it. When, in your dream, you are feeling pain or discomfort in this area or any other area of the body, consider how well that part of your body is functioning in real life. Being health-conscious is a positive thing and both psychological and physical factors need to be considered. At times our unconscious knows that something is wrong even before we have any symptoms.“Old wives’ tales” tell us that this is a dream of the contrary and that you will have lots of vigor and good health.

See abdomen

abdomen

[ab´dah-men, ab-do´men] the anterior portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis; it contains the cavity" >abdominal cavity, which is separated from the chest area by the diaphragm. The cavity, which is lined with a membrane known as the peritoneum, contains the stomach, large and small intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and other structures. Called also belly and venter. adj., adj abdom´inal.

Internal structures of the abdomen. acute abdomen (surgical abdomen) an acute intra-abdominal condition of abrupt onset, usually associated with severe pain due to inflammation, perforation, obstruction, infarction, or rupture of abdominal organs, and usually requiring emergency surgical intervention.

ab·do·men

(ab-dō'men, ab'dō-men), [TA] Although the classically correct pronunciation is ab-dō'men, the first syllable is often stressed in the U.S.The part of the trunk that lies between the thorax and the pelvis. The abdomen does not include the vertebral region posteriorly but is considered by some anatomists to include the pelvis (abdominopelvic cavity). It includes the greater part of the abdominal cavity (cavitas abdominis [TA]) and is divided by arbitrary planes into nine regions.
See also: abdominal regions. Synonym(s): venter (1) [TA] [L. abdomen, etym. uncertain]

abdomen

(ăb′də-mən)n.1. The part of the body that lies between the thorax and the pelvis and encloses the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and pancreas in humans and other mammals. Also called belly.2. The corresponding region in vertebrates other than mammals.3. The posterior segment of the body in arthropods.

abdomen

Alternative medicine
See Hara.

Anatomy
The region of the body that lies between the thorax and the pelvis, which is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm and by the plane of the pelvic inlet from the pelvic cavity, and is lined with a serous membrane, the peritoneum; the term abdomen may be used interchangeably with abdominal cavity, which contains the abdominal viscera—stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, appendix, gallbladder, and bladder. The abdomen is enclosed by a wall formed by the abdominal muscles, vertebral column and the ilial bones; it is divided into 9 regions (3 upper—right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac; 3 middle—right lateral, umbilical, left lateral; 3 lower—right inguinal, pubic, left inguinal) by 4 imaginary lines projected onto the anterior wall, of which 2 horizontally transect the body—the upper at the level of the cartilages of the 9th ribs, the lower at the iliac crests—and 2 extend vertically on each side of the body from the cartilage of the 8th rib to the centre of the inguinal ligament.

ab·do·men

(ab'dŏ-mĕn) [TA] The part of the trunk that lies between the thorax and the pelvis; considered by some anatomists to include the pelvis (abdominopelvic cavity). It includes the greater part of the abdominal cavity (cavitasabdominis [TA]), and is divided by arbitrary planes into nine regions.
See also: abdominal regions
Synonym(s): venter (1) . [L. abdomen, etym. uncertain]

abdomen

The part of the trunk below the chest. The abdominal cavity lies between the DIAPHRAGM, above, and the pelvic floor, below. It contains the LIVER and most of the digestive system, comprising the STOMACH, the DUODENUM, the JEJUNUM, the ILEUM, the CAECUM with the APPENDIX, the COLON, the RECTUM and the ANAL CANAL. Other abdominal organs include the KIDNEYS, the ADRENAL GLANDS, the SPLEEN, the PANCREAS and some large and important blood vessels, such as the AORTA and the inferior VENA CAVA, around which are many chains of LYMPH NODES. The intestines are hung from the back wall of the abdomen by a much-folded membrane, the MESENTERY, and are covered by the OMENTUM. The lower part of the abdomen, the pelvic cavity, contains the BLADDER. In women, the pelvic cavity also contains the womb (UTERUS), the FALLOPIAN TUBES and the OVARIES; in men, the central PROSTATE GLAND and the VAS DEFERENS, on each side. The wall of the abdomen consists of overlapping layers of muscle and sheets of fibrous tissue. The organs and the interior of the walls are covered with PERITONEUM. See also ABDOMINAL REGIONS.

abdomen

that part of the body of vertebrates containing the viscera (i.e. the kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines). In mammals it is separated from the thorax, which contains the heart and lungs, by the diaphragm. In arthropods it is that part of the body directly behind the thorax; in many other invertebrates the abdomen is divided into segments that have a superficial similarity.

ab·do·men

(ab'dŏ-mĕn) [TA] The part of the trunk that lies between thorax and pelvis; does not include the vertebral region posteriorly but is considered by some anatomists to include the pelvis (abdominopelvic cavity). It includes the greater part of the abdominal cavity (cavitas abdominis [TA]) and is divided by arbitrary planes into nine regions. [L. abdomen, etym. uncertain]

Patient discussion about abdomen

Q. Uncomfortable in my left-lower abdomen. But it is not acute or dull pain at all. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable in my lower-left abdomen. I roughly guess it started summer in 2008. Certainly, it's not acute or even dull pain at all. But it makes me very uncomfortable when I sit on the chair. I can feel it by sitting on the chair. Such uncomfortableness seems to reside in somewhere between my left leg and abdomen. It is under my navel, and to the left, extending to the my left flank. Once again, I can sense it by touching something developing (With my fingers, I gently pressed that area and, I realized that there's a difference between pressing on the lower-left abdomen and the lower-right abdomen.) But it is not something swollen, and not a hard thing. I've never had the caecum removed. I'm 40 years old, East asian. I quitted smoking in early 90's. In Octocber, 2008 I found my blood pressure pretty good (I can't remember it, though).My life is quite sedentary (I'm a graduate student.) I guess I spend most of my daily time on the chair.Thanks for any opinion in advance.A. hi '''i do have the same thing all what i do is keep it higher than my hart and after a lettel time it well come back to normal and i advice you to go see a d'r when you have the rhit time for it.......and happy holly day and happy 2009..lolo21

Q. I am having a sharp pain in the right side of the lower abdomen on and off. Any danger of losing my baby? Hello, after several years after my marriage I have become pregnant. I am just 7 weeks pregnant and taking utmost care as I have been longing for a baby. However I am having a sharp pain in the right side of the lower abdomen on and off. Will I be in any danger of losing my baby? I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to get this issue checked out. In the meantime I have been very worried. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?A. hhmm.. the sharp pain in lower right abdomen can mean nothing specific , but it can also be an appendicitis. but sometimes that kind of feeling (not the appendicitis one) happens during early pregnancy. so you're exactly doing right, by going to see your doctor.
we all hope you well, and have a healthy pregnancy

Q. What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis? I am 40 years old and suffer from a lot of stomach aches and diarrhea. Do I have Ulcerative Colitis? What are its symptoms?A. Here's a pretty good article that covers symptoms of UC:
http://www.wearecrohns.org/ucers/articles/319

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Patient discussion about abdomen

abdomen

Synonyms for abdomen

noun stomach

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Synonyms for abdomen

noun the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

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noun the cavity containing the major viscera

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