What does abdomen mean?
The abdomen is the large cavity at the lower front of the trunk of the body, lying between the diaphragm and the pelvis, which contains the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs. In everyday speech it corresponds roughly to what people call the belly or tummy, though 'abdomen' itself carries a more formal, clinical tone and is the standard term in medicine and anatomy. The word also has an important second life in zoology: in insects, spiders, and other arthropods, the abdomen is the rearmost of the three main body sections, housing organs such as those for digestion and reproduction — and, in bees and wasps, the sting. Related forms such as 'abdominal' appear frequently in medical language, as in 'abdominal pain' or 'abdominal muscles', making this a word worth knowing for anyone reading health or science writing.
nounThe part of the body of a vertebrate containing the digestive organs; the belly. In insects and other arthropods, the posterior section of the body.
- The region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis, containing the digestive organs (the belly).
- In insects and other arthropods, the posterior-most major division of the body.
"The surgeon made a small incision in the patient's abdomen to remove the appendix."
"She felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and went to see the doctor."
"In ants, the abdomen houses most of the vital organs as well as the sting."
Regular plural, used mainly when referring to multiple people, animals, or specimens in medical or zoological contexts.
"The ultrasound scans showed the abdomens of both twins developing normally."
The word 'abdomen' comes from Latin, but its deeper origin is a mystery — even ancient Roman grammarians admitted they weren't sure where it came from.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of abdomen
The word 'abdomen' comes directly from Latin 'abdomen', meaning the belly, and entered English in the early 17th century through anatomical writing. The ultimate origin of the Latin word is uncertain; Roman scholars themselves debated its roots, with some suggesting a connection to 'abdere' (to hide), on the idea that the belly conceals the organs, though this etymology is not firmly established. The adjective 'abdominal' derives from the same Latin source.
Related word forms
How abdomen is actually used
A formal or clinical term preferred in medical and scientific contexts over everyday words like 'belly' or 'tummy'. In casual speech, 'belly' or 'stomach' is more common. Note that 'stomach' colloquially refers to the same area but technically names only one organ within the abdomen.
Easily confused with abdomen
The stomach is a specific digestive organ, while the abdomen is the whole region of the body that contains it along with many other organs.