Definition of Abdomen

1. Noun. The region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis.


2. Noun. The cavity containing the major viscera; in mammals it is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm.
Exact synonyms: Abdominal Cavity
Generic synonyms: Bodily Cavity, Cavity, Cavum
Group relationships: Belly, Stomach, Venter
Derivative terms: Abdominal

Definition of Abdomen

1. n. The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the stomach, bowels, and other viscera. In man, often restricted to the part between the diaphragm and the commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic cavity.

Definition of Abdomen

1. Noun. (context: anatomy) The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, not including the back. ¹

2. Noun. (context: anatomy) The cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the stomach, bowels, and other viscera; often restricted in humans to the part between the diaphragm and the commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic cavity. ¹

3. Noun. (context: zoology entomology) The posterior section of the body, behind the thorax, in insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Abdomen

1. the body cavity containing the viscera [n -MENS or -MINA]

Medical Definition of Abdomen

1. The portion of the body which lies between the thorax and the pelvis. It contains a cavity (abdominal cavity) separated by the diaphragm from the thoracic cavity above and by the plane of the pelvic inlet from the pelvic cavity below and lined with a serous membrane, the peritoneum. This cavity contains the abdominal viscera and is enclosed by a wall formed by the abdominal muscles, vertebral column and the ilia. It is divided into nine regions by four imaginary lines projected onto the anterior wall, of which two pass horizontally around the body (the upper at the level of the cartilages of the ninth ribs, the lower at the tops of the crests of the ilia) and two extend vertically on each side of the body from the cartilage of the eighth rib to the centre of the inguinal ligament. The regions are: three upper right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, three middle right lateral, umbilical, left lateral and three lower right inguinal, pubic, left inguinal. Origin: L. Possibly from abdere = to hide (15 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Abdomen

abdicable
abdicant
abdicants
abdicate
abdicated
abdicates
abdicating
abdication
abdications
abdicative
abdicator
abdicators
abditive
abditories
abditory
abdomens
abdomin-
abdomina
abdominal
abdominal-thrust maneuver
abdominal-thrust maneuvers
abdominal abscess
abdominal actinomycosis
abdominal adhesions
abdominal angina
abdominal aorta
abdominal aortic aneurysm

Literary usage of Abdomen

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics by The American College of Surgeons, Franklin H. Martin Memorial Foundation (1913)
"Great pain in right lower quadrant of abdomen. In sac, two loops, ... Bloody serum in abdomen. Constriction rings on intestine evidence no circulatory ..."

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