Pronunciation: [ˈabdəmən] (IPA) 
The word "abdomen" (/ˈæb.də.mən/) is spelled with the letter "d" in the middle, not "b". The reason for this spelling is because the word comes from the Latin word "abdomen", which means "belly". In Latin, the letter "d" was used instead of "b" in this word. In English, we kept the traditional spelling from Latin. It is important to spell words correctly to ensure clear communication and understanding.
The abdomen is a vital anatomical region of the body that spans the area between the chest and pelvis. It is commonly referred to as the belly or stomach region and plays a significant role in digestion and organ protection. As a noun, it refers to the central part of the trunk, below the diaphragm and above the pelvis, encompassing diverse structures and systems crucial for bodily functions.
Anatomically, the abdomen is composed of several organs, including the liver, stomach, spleen, kidneys, intestines, and pancreas, among others. These organs are enclosed and protected by the abdominal walls, consisting of muscles, tissues, and a sturdy skeletal structure. The abdomen is separated from the chest cavity by the diaphragm and is further divided into several regions, such as the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, and the flanks.
The abdomen serves as a vital site for digestion and nutrient absorption, housing the majority of the digestive organs responsible for breaking down food and extracting essential nutrients. Additionally, it contains blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, and various glands that contribute to the overall well-being and functioning of the body.
Moreover, the abdomen also plays a role in respiration by assisting the diaphragm in expanding and contracting during breathing. It provides a protective enclosure for the vital organs within and serves as the site for various medical procedures including surgeries and diagnostic imaging techniques such as abdominal ultrasound or CT scans.
Belly, alvus, venter, the body cavity bounded by the diaphragm above and the pelvis below. (Some anatomists include in the abdomen all down to the pelvic floor.) It is lined by a serous membrane, the peritoneum, which also invests the contained viscera. It contains the greater part of the organs of digestion and also the spleen; the kidneys lie behind the peritoneum and are therefore outside the abdominal cavity. The abdomen is divided by arbitrary planes into nine regions; see abdominal regions.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The lower part of the belly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "abdomen" originated from Latin. It comes from the Latin word "abdōmen" which referred to the belly or abdomen of animals. Latin in turn borrowed it from the Proto-Indo-European root word "h₂ébʰdʰom" meaning "belly" or "fatness".
