abdomen

[ab-duh-muhn, ab-doh-]

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. the part of the body of a mammal between the thorax and the pelvis; belly.

   2. the cavity of this part of the body containing the stomach, intestines, etc.

   3. (in nonmammalian vertebrates) a region of the body corresponding to, but not coincident with, this part or cavity.

2. Entomology.,  the posterior section of the body of an arthropod, behind the thorax or the cephalothorax.

abdomen

/ æbˈdɒmɪnəl, æbˈdəʊ-, ˈæbdəmən /

noun

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. the front or surface of this region; belly

3. (in arthropods) the posterior part of the body behind the thorax, consisting of up to ten similar segments

abdomen

1. In vertebrates, the portion of the body between the thorax and pelvis, containing the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs. In mammals, the abdomen is separated from the thorax by the diaphragm.

2. In arthropods, the last, most posterior segment of the body.

abdomen

1. The part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis that encloses the organs of the abdominal cavity; the belly.

Other Word Forms

• postabdomen noun
• abdominally adverb
• abdominal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdomen¹

1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Latin abdōmen belly

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdomen¹

C16: from Latin; origin obscure

Example Sentences

Amiryan, who flung himself over his partner, was shot in the abdomen and arm.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the singer said a scan shortly after revealed there was "a Coke can's worth of blood in my abdomen".

From BBC

Her illness had led to her pulling off her stoma bag that collects bodily waste from the abdomen.

From BBC

She had perotinitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, often caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.

From BBC

Indian doctors have successfully removed "parasitic twins" - two foetuses that were growing inside the abdomen of a 20-day-old baby.

From BBC

Related Words

• belly 
• gut 
• midriff 
• midsection 
• tummy