The abdomen is an anatomical unit of the human body that includes various organs and organ systems. It is the abdomen the lower anterior part of the torso, localized between the diaphragm and pelvis. An increased accumulation of fat cells in this anatomical section is also popularly referred to as abdomen.
What characterizes the abdomen?
A flat stomach and a well-formed belly button are beauty ideals of our time. Exercise and a healthy diet can ensure a toned abdomen into old age. The medical term for the abdomen, i.e. the abdominal cavity and its viscera, is abdomen. So if the doctor speaks of abdominal disorders, for example, this can mean abdominal pain or other diseases of the abdominal cavity. In medicine, abdomen or abdomen are also synonymous terms for the middle or lower abdominal cavity. In the broadest sense, the abdomen also includes the so-called abdominal cavity, which houses all abdominal organs. The abdominal cavity is bounded on all sides almost exclusively by soft tissues. However, there is also a bony protection of the abdomen. This is formed by the spine, parts of the rib cage and both iliac blades. The abdominal cavity is divided into two anatomical sections, the peritoneal cavity and the so-called retroperitoneal space. The peritoneal cavity is the part of the abdomen which is lined internally with the so-called peritoneum. The retroperitoneal space is the space behind the peritoneal cavity. This part of the abdomen also contains organs, such as the kidneys.
Anatomy and structure
The anatomy and structure of the human abdomen result from its boundaries to other anatomical structures, as well as the vital organs located in the abdominal cavity. From the thoracic cavity, the abdomen is separated upward by the diaphragm, and downward there is an anatomical boundary by the pelvis. All walls and organs of the abdomen are enveloped by the peritoneum. In the connective tissue space behind the abdomen are the retroperitoneal organs, kidneys, adrenal glands abdominal aorta, pancreas as well as duodenum. Under the diaphragmatic dome is the seat of the liver, and in the left upper abdomen is the spleen, which performs important functions as an immunity organ, but is not essential for survival. The digestive organs fill most of the abdomen. The digestive organs include the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, colon and rectum. In this digestive tract, after any liquid or solid food intake, digestion takes place in the individual anatomical sections. The indigestible remains, after dehydration and thickening, are excreted through the anus as stool.
Function and tasks
The various functions and tasks of the abdomen are determined by the organs and organ systems housed within it. The diaphragm, as a muscular plate between the chest and abdomen, is used for breathing. The chest cavity contains the heart and lungs. The abdominal aorta is the main artery in the abdomen. The kidneys serve as filtering organs and ensure the excretion of excess metabolic products through the formation of urine. The adrenal glands are also part of the abdominal organs, they perform important functions as hormone producers. The pancreas is responsible for the secretion of certain digestive enzymes and the regulation of blood sugar metabolism. As a detoxification organ, the liver in the upper right abdomen is of central and vital importance. The gallbladder is able to store the bile produced by the liver and make it quickly available when needed to digest fatty foods. The gallbladder is not vital. The stomach is the central digestive organ, and the stomach lining secretes enzymes and hydrochloric acid, which are particularly useful for protein digestion. The small intestine is used for further digestion of the food pulp. Nutrients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the intestinal villi. The actual digestion process is already completed in the large intestine. Here, the water is largely removed from the food pulp, and in the rectum the food residues are collected until natural excretion, also called defecation.
Diseases and ailments
All organs and organ systems located in the abdomen can become diseased, this applies both to individual sections of the abdominal cavity and to the entire abdominal cavity. The leading symptom for complaints of the abdominal cavity is the so-called abdominal pain, which can occur acutely or chronically. Abdominal pain in all its forms is always a symptom that requires clarification. It can have both harmless and life-threatening causes. Particularly in the case of so-called acute abdomen with a hard abdomen and defensive tension, rapid medical action is required. The main cause of this acute abdominal pain is appendicitis. Other anatomical sections of the abdomen may also show inflammatory changes. Likewise, the entire peritoneum can be affected by inflammation; physicians then speak of peritonitis. Peritonitis based on a rupture of the appendix or mesenteric infarction is still common today; the entry of feces into the free abdominal cavity poses a danger to life and an immediate indication for surgery. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, so-called gastritis, is also a common clinical picture. Just like the inflammation of the pancreas, pancreatitis, gastritis can also be triggered by excessive alcohol consumption or malnutrition. The abdominal cavity is lined with a fine network of nerves; in this context, one also speaks of the abdominal brain. Therefore, vegetative disorders or stress also have a direct effect on abdominal health. Unclear, chronic abdominal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome are often an expression of these so-called functional disorders, usually without concrete anatomical findings. In addition to inflammations, tumor diseases of the entire gastrointestinal tract also play an increasing role. Due to malnutrition and obesity, malignant tumor neoplasms of the stomach, rectum or pancreas are on the rise. Pancreatic cancer is considered particularly feared, because there is no early detection and abdominal pain due to such cancer of the pancreas are usually symptoms of an already extensive tumor.
