viscera n : internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity); "`viscera' is the plural form of `viscus'" [syn: entrails, innards]

English

Noun

viscera (plural of viscus)

1. Collectively, the internal organs of the body, especially those contained within the abdominal and thoracic cavities, such as the liver, heart, or stomach.
2. The intestines.

Synonyms

• entrails
• innards
• intestines
• offal

Derived terms

• visceral
• eviscerate

Translations

In anatomy, a viscus () (plural: viscera /ˈvɪsərə/) is an internal organ of an animal (including humans), in particular an internal organ of the thorax or abdomen. The viscera, when removed from a butchered animal, are known collectively as offal. Internal organs are also known as "innards", or less formally, "guts" (which may also refer to the gastrointestinal tract).

The adjective visceral is used for anything pertaining to the internal organs. Historically, viscera of animals were examined by Roman pagan priests like the haruspices or the augurs in order to divine the future by their shape, dimensions or other factors.

Human viscera

Further information: Organs of the human body by region

Abdomen

• peritoneum
• stomach
• duodenum
• intestine
• colon
• liver
• spleen
• pancreas
• kidney
• adrenal gland
• appendix
• gall bladder

Pelvis and perineum

• pelvis
• coccyx
• ovaries
• Fallopian tube
• uterus
• vulva
• clitoris
• perineum
• urinary bladder
• testicles
• rectum

Innervation

The viscera are mainly innervated parasympathetically by the vagus nerve and sympathetically by the splanchnic nerves. The sensory part of the latter reaches the spinal column at certain spinal segments. Pain in any viscera is perceived as referred pain, more specifically pain from the dermatome (anatomy) corresponding to the spinal segment.

References

See also

• Anatomical terms of location
• Visceroptosis

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