umbilicus

[uhm-bil-i-kuhs, uhm-buh-lahy-kuhs]

noun

plural

umbilici 

1. Anatomy.,  the depression in the center of the surface of the abdomen indicating the point of attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo; navel.

2. Botany, Zoology.,  a navellike formation, as the hilum of a seed.

umbilicus

/ ʌmˈbɪlɪˌfɔːm, ˌʌmbɪˈlaɪkəs, ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs /

noun

1. biology a hollow or navel-like structure, such as the cavity at the base of a gastropod shell

2. anatomy a technical name for the navel

Other Word Forms

• umbiliform adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbilicus¹

1605–15; < Latin umbilīcus navel, middle, center; navel

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbilicus¹

C18: from Latin: navel, centre; compare Latin umbō shield boss, Greek omphalos navel