How Do You Spell UMBILICUS?

Pronunciation: [ʌmbˈɪlɪkəs] (IPA)

The word "umbilicus" is spelled as /ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by the stressed syllable which contains the short "i" vowel sound. The "b" and "l" consonant sounds are pronounced together, forming a blend or cluster. The second-to-last syllable contains the "i" sound again, while the final syllable ends with the "k" sound and a schwa. This word refers to the anatomical structure commonly known as the belly button.

UMBILICUS Meaning and Definition

1. The umbilicus, commonly known as the navel or belly button, is a small, rounded, and often depressed or hollow area located in the middle of the abdomen. It is a remnant of the umbilical cord that connected a developing fetus to its mother during gestation. The umbilicus is formed when the umbilical cord, a structure primarily composed of blood vessels, is severed after birth.

   Anatomically, the umbilicus is situated on the anterior abdominal wall, specifically on the linea alba, which is the vertical fibrous band that separates the right and left rectus abdominis muscles. It typically appears as a slight indentation or protrusion, but the exact shape and depth of the umbilicus can vary among individuals.

   Functionally, the umbilicus plays no active role in postnatal life and carries no physiological function. Nevertheless, it serves as a unique anatomical landmark and can be used to identify specific structures within the abdomen during surgical procedures or diagnostic examinations.

   Clinically, the umbilicus may exhibit certain conditions or abnormalities. Umbilical hernias, for instance, occur when a portion of the intestines or fatty tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles surrounding the umbilicus. Additionally, infections, such as omphalitis, can affect the umbilicus, particularly in neonates. Overall, the umbilicus holds both historical and practical significance in the realm of human anatomy.

2. The pit in the center of the abdominal wall marking the point where the umbilical cord entered in the fetus; the navel, "belly button.".

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. The navel; in bot., the scar by which a seed is attached to the placenta, more commonly called the hilum; in conch., the conical depression at the base of a univalve shell.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for UMBILICUS *

• umblicus 33.3333333%
• umbillicus 33.3333333%
• umbulicus 33.3333333%

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for UMBILICUS

• umbilicle
• umbilicis
• umbilica
• umbilicte
• umilicus
• embiloow
• umbilicuate
• umbelicus

Etymology of UMBILICUS

The word "umbilicus" has its origin in Latin. It is derived from the Latin noun "umbilīcus", which means "navel" or "belly button". The Latin term itself may have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂nobʰ-, which means "navel" or "button". The term "umbilicus" has been used in medical and anatomical contexts for centuries to refer to the scar or depression in the abdominal wall that marks the site of the former attachment of the umbilical cord in mammals.

Similar spelling words for UMBILICUS

• umbilicate,
• umbilical.

Plural form of UMBILICUS is UMBILICI