Tummy

The abdomen is the portion of the human torso that lies between the ribcage and the pelvis. It is a critical region of the body that houses numerous vital organs and structures involved in various essential physiological processes.

Anatomical Structures

The abdomen contains a number of important anatomical components, including:

• Stomach: The J-shaped, muscular organ responsible for the initial stages of digestion.
• Intestines: The lengthy, convoluted tube divided into the small intestine and large intestine, where further digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs.
• Liver: The largest internal organ, performing over 500 functions including filtering blood and metabolizing nutrients.
• Kidneys: Two bean-shaped organs that filter waste and excess water from the blood.
• Pancreas: An organ that produces enzymes for digestion as well as hormones like insulin.
• Gallbladder: A small, pouch-like organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.
• Spleen: An organ that filters blood and recycles red blood cells.
• Reproductive organs: Including the uterus, ovaries, and testes.

The abdominal cavity is lined with the peritoneum, a slippery membrane that allows the organs to move smoothly. The abdominal wall consists of several layers of muscle, fat, and skin.

Functions

The abdomen plays a vital role in many essential bodily functions, including:

• Digestion: The stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and other organs work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.
• Excretion: The kidneys filter the blood and produce urine, which is stored in the bladder before being eliminated.
• Respiration: The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle at the base of the abdomen, assists with the intake and expulsion of air during breathing.
• Reproduction: The abdomen houses the reproductive organs critical for sexual function and childbirth.

Medical Conditions

The abdomen is susceptible to a wide range of medical issues and disorders, including:

• Hernias: When internal organs or tissues protrude through weaknesses in the abdominal wall.
• Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the first part of the large intestine.
• Ulcers: Painful sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or small intestine.
• Gallstones: Hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can cause severe abdominal pain.
• Cancers: Malignant growths that can develop in organs like the liver, stomach, pancreas, or colon.

While informal terms like "tummy" may be used in some contexts, the medical and scientific community in this timeline consistently refers to this region as the "abdomen."