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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Body Regions and Directional Terms

Abdomen

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈæbdəmən/nounCore term

In anatomy & physiology, abdomen means: The part of the trunk between the chest and the pelvis. It contains the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys and other organs, and is separated from the chest by the diaphragm.

In Turkish: karın, abdomen

How it is used

For description, the abdomen is divided into four quadrants (right upper, left lower and so on) or into nine regions such as the epigastric and umbilical regions. The adjective abdominal is very common: abdominal pain, abdominal wall, abdominal cavity.

Example sentences

  1. The liver lies in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

  2. The abdominal cavity is lined by a thin membrane called the peritoneum.

Common collocations

  • abdominal cavity
  • abdominal wall
  • upper abdomen
  • abdominal quadrant
  • abdominal pain
  • thoraxThe chest: the part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen. It is enclosed by the ribs, sternum and thoracic vertebrae and contains the heart and lungs.
  • stomachThe J-shaped muscular bag between the esophagus and the small intestine. It stores food, mixes it with acid and enzymes, and passes it on slowly to the duodenum.
  • liverThe large organ in the upper right abdomen that processes nutrients, makes bile and many blood proteins, stores glycogen, and breaks down drugs, alcohol and toxins.
  • diaphragmThe dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. When it contracts it flattens and draws air into the lungs; it is the main muscle of breathing.

More terms: Body Regions and Directional Terms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.