-al; -ial, -eal


abacterial (adjective) (not comparable)
abdominal (adjective)
Referring to the largest hollow space of the body, between the diaphragm (any of several large muscles, found in humans and other mammals) and the top of the pelvic cavity and surrounded by the spine and the abdominal muscles and others (muscles of the front and side walls of the abdominal cavity): Jane had to go to the doctor because she was experiencing abdominal pains which were making her sick.


abdominal adhesion
The holding together of tissue surfaces of abdominal organs, usually involving the intestines and causing an obstruction.

The condition may be a result of surgery or the result of a trauma or chronic inflammation. The patient with this condition experiences an abdominal distention, pain, nausea, vomiting, plus an increased pulse rate which might require surgery to improve the person's situation.

abdominal aorta
The largest arterial conduit (channel) below the diaphragm.

This term refers to the portion of the aorta (largest artery in the body) below the diaphragm to the bifurcation (split into two parts) into the right and left common iliac arteries or the upper and largest, part of the bony pelvic girdle.


The abdominal aorta provides blood to the abdominal structures; such as, the testes, ovaries, kidneys, and stomach.

abdominal aortic aneurysm, AAA
A distended and weakened area in the wall of the abdominal aorta, more common in those who suffer from atherosclerosis or the progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries over time.

This is known to occur to some degree with aging, but other risk factors that accelerate this process have been identified; including: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and family history for atherosclerotic disease.

abdominal aortography
abdominal aponeurosis
The conjoined sheet-like tendons of the oblique and transverse muscles of the abdomen.
abdominal arteries

The celiac artery supplies the front part of the intestine, the superior mesenteric artery supplies the middle intestine, and the inferior (lower) mesenteric artery supplies the back section of the intestine.

abdominal bandage; ABD pad
A broad multilayered absorbent gauze or other material commonly used after abdominal surgery.
abdominal binder (s) (noun); abdominal binders (pl)
A bandage or elasticized wrap that is applied around the lower part of the torso to support the abdomen: An abdominal binder is sometimes applied after surgery to decrease discomfort, and so it increases a patient's ability to begin ambulatory (walking) activities and and to increase recovery.
abdominal breathing
1. Breathing in which the abdominal muscles perform the major part of the respiratory effort.

Such breathing may be seen in various abnormal conditions; such as, cerebrovascular accident, spinal cord injury, and coma.

Singers practice this method so they can enhance their vocal performances.

2. Breathing which is supplemented by abdominal wall muscles that compress the contents of the abdomen and indirectly raise the diaphragm.

This kind of deep breathing is shown by the expansion of the abdomen rather than the chest when breathing.


1. The space between the stomach area and the spine which contains a number of crucial organs: The abdominal cavity includes the lower part of the esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, bladder; as well as, associated tissues and blood and lymphatic vessels all of which are surrounded by the flat band of fibrous tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates the different layers of tissue.


—Compiled from The Body Almanac by Neil McAleer;
abdominal crisis (s) (noun), crises (pl)
A general term for severe stomach pain resulting from several possible causes.

It usually refers to pain which occurs during sickle cell anemia crisis or that results from syphilis.

abdominal crunch
abdominal decompression

The technique is intended to reduce pain and to shorten labor during the birth of a child or children.