| abdominal canal | A passage in the lower anterior abdominal wall which in the male allows passage of the spermatic cord and in the female contains the round ligament. Because of the weakness it creates in the abdominal wall, it is the most frequent site for a hernia. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| abdominal cavity | <anatomy> That portion of the body extending from beneath the diaphragm down to the pelvis. It contains all the abdominal organs. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abdominal delivery | <obstetrics> A obstetric procedure that involves the delivery of the foetus through an abdominal incision. Cesarian sections account for about one fifth of all births in the us. Indications include: failure to progress, foetal distress, cephalopelvic disproportion (baby's too big for birth canal), placenta previa, placental abruption, placental insufficiency, breech baby, active genital herpes, multiple gestation, preeclampsia and excessive scarring from previous surgeries. The average hospital stay is about 4 days. The maternal death rate with cesarian section is three times higher than with natural delivery. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abdominal dropsy | <clinical sign, gastroenterology> An effusion and accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity. Synonym: abdominal dropsy, peritoneal dropsy, hydroperitonia, hydrops abdominis. Origin: L, Gr. Askites from askos = bag (18 Nov 1997) |
| abdominal external oblique muscle | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, fifth to twelfth ribs; insertion, anterior half of lateral lip of iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and anterior layer of the rectus sheath; action, diminishes capacity of abdomen, draws thorax downward; nerve supply, thoracoabdominal nerves. Synonym: musculus obliquus externus abdominis, abdominal external oblique muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal fibromatosis | <anatomy> Resembling, or having the characteristics of, a ligament; ligamentous. Origin: Gr. Desmos ligament. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| abdominal fissure | Congenital failure of the ventral body wall to close. See: celosomia, gastroschisis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal fistula | A tract leading from one of the abdominal viscera to the external surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal guarding | <clinical sign> A spasm of abdominal wall muscles, detected on palpation, to protect inflamed abdominal viscera from pressure. Guarding is typically a finding in the physical examination where inflammation of the peritoneal surface has occurred as in appendicitis, diverticulitis or generalised peritonitis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abdominal hernia | <surgery> A hernia protruding through a defect or weakened portion of the abdominal wall. An umbilical hernia is an example of a type of abdominal hernia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| abdominal hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus through an incision made in the abdominal wall. As opposed to a vaginal hysterectomy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal hysterotomy | Transabdominal incision into the uterus. Also variously called abdominohysterotomy; celiohysterotomy; laparohysterotomy; laparouterotomy. Synonym: abdominohysterotomy, celiohysterotomy, laparohysterotomy, laparouterotomy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal injuries | General or unspecified injuries involving organs in the abdominal cavity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal internal oblique muscle | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, iliac fascia deep to lateral part of inguinal ligament, anterior half of crest of ilium, and lumbar fascia; insertion, tenth to twelfth ribs and sheath of rectus; some of the fibres from inguinal ligament terminate in the conjoint tendon; action, diminishes capacity of abdomen, flexes lumbar vertebral column (bends thorax forward); nerve supply, lower thoracic. Synonym: musculus obliquus internus abdominis, abdominal internal oblique muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal lipectomy | <procedure, surgery> A procedure to remove fatty tissue and excess skin from the lower to middle portions of the abdomen. This procedure is indicated in some individual's who have lost considerable weight resulting in loose hanging folds of skin in the abdominal area. Recovery is in 2-4 days. (11 Mar 1998) |