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Abdomen (Abdominal)
"Abdominal" is an adjective that means of, relating to, or involving the abdomen — the region of the body commonly called the belly.
What is the Abdomen?
In human anatomy and medicine, the abdomen (also known as the belly) is the front part of the torso located between the chest (thorax) and the pelvis. It is separated from the chest by the diaphragm (a large muscle below the lungs) and extends down to the pelvic brim (the edge of the pelvic inlet). The abdomen forms a large body cavity called the abdominal cavity, which is enclosed by:
Abdominal muscles (front and sides),
The vertebral column (spine) at the back,
And sometimes lower ribs.
This cavity is lined by a thin membrane called the peritoneum, which covers and supports the internal organs.
Key Contents of the Abdominal Region:
The abdominal cavity houses many vital organs, primarily related to digestion, but also other systems:
Digestive organs: Stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (colon, including appendix), liver, gallbladder, pancreas.
Other organs: Spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, parts of the urinary system (e.g., ureters, bladder in some contexts), and in females, reproductive structures like the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes (which may overlap with the pelvic area).
Major blood vessels: Aorta and inferior vena cava.
Some structures are retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum), like the kidneys, while others are fully covered by it.
How the Abdomen is Divided for Medical Purposes:
Doctors often divide the abdomen into regions or quadrants to help locate pain, tenderness, or issues:
Four quadrants: Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower (divided by lines through the navel).
Nine regions: More detailed, including epigastric (upper central), umbilical (around navel), hypogastric (lower central), hypochondriac (upper sides), lumbar (middle sides), and iliac/inguinal (lower sides).
This helps diagnose conditions — for example, pain in the right lower quadrant might suggest appendicitis.
Abdominal in Health and Common Contexts:
Abdominal pain is one of the most frequent symptoms people experience and can range from mild (e.g., gas, indigestion) to severe (requiring urgent care, like in appendicitis, infections, or organ issues).
Abdominal muscles (often called "abs") include layers like the rectus abdominis, external/internal obliques, and transversus abdominis — they support posture, breathing, movement, and protect organs.
Common health issues involving the abdominal area include gastrointestinal problems (e.g., gastritis, IBS), hernias, inflammation, or conditions affecting organs inside.