abdomin-, abdomino-, abdomen-

Medical shorthand for a serious or severe abdominal pain; acute abdomen: A surgical abdomen may reflect a major problem or a potential medical emergency because of an alarming and dangerous situation of one of the organs in the abdomen.

Pertaining to the thorax, or chest, and the abdomen: Bruce had to have an operation which involved the removal of a thoracoabdominal tumor.

A broad, flat muscle of the abdomen with transverse fibers that is named after the direction of its fibers.

This muscle lies just below the internal oblique, originating from the lumbar fascia, iliac crest, and inguinal ligament.

It spans the area from the pelvis to the abdomen and inserts in the xiphoid cartilage and linea alba.

The transversus abdominis is innervated by the lower thoracic nerves and supplied by the lumbar arteries and this muscle assists in breathing.

Brief clarifications of the above terms as shown in bold words

• transverse fibers: the thin threadlike pieces found in body tissues that form the nerves and muscles extending or lying across bodily parts.
• internal oblique: a slanting, small, thin, deep muscle of the abdomen.
• lumbar fascia: back layer of loose tissue just beneath the skin.
• iliac crest: hip bone.
• inguinal: part of the groin where the abdomen and thighs meet.
• ligament: inelastic white materials which surround the joints, and connect bones, or strengthen the attachments of various organs, or keep them together.
• xiphoid cartilage: bottom part of the breastbone which is firm with very elastic tough tissue.
• linea alba: "white line", a fibrous band running vertically the entire length of the center of the anterior abdominal wall, receiving the attachments of the oblique and transverse abdominal muscles.

Concerning the uterine or fallopian tube and the abdomen: Celia was at the hospital for an examination of the tuboabdominal parts of her body to make sure that she was healthy enough to become pregnant.

Pertaining to the uterus and the abdomen: When Susan was at the hospital, Dr. Smart performed a uteroabdominal examination prior to her operation.

Relating to the vagina and the abdomen: At the hospital Wendy had a vaginoabdominal checkup following an operation she had concerning a tumor.

Concerning the abdominal wall and the urinary bladder: Once a year Tina had to go to Dr. Hathaway, her urologist, to have a vesicoabdominal ultrasound made to see if she was still healthy.

A tube extending from the urinary bladder through the abdominal wall and opening externally onto the skin of the abdomen: The vesicoabdominal fistula is an abnormal duct or passage, caused by an injury, disease, or congenital disorder, and connects an abscess, cavity, or a hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ.