‖ hypochondrium
(hɪpəʊˈkɒndrɪəm)
[mod.L., ad. Gr. ὑποχόνδριον (neut. sing.), as τὸ δεξιὸν ὑποχόνδριον the right hypochondrium (Hippocrates); see hypochondria.]
Each of the two hypochondriac regions which are distinguished as ‘right’ and ‘left’.
| 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Hypochondrium, the upper part of the Abdomen under the Cartilages of the Chest. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Hypochondriac, A swelling or distension of the hypochondriums, or upper part of the belly. 1735 Ferguson in Phil. Trans. XL. 426 A Skane or great Knife, which went through the muscular part of his Fore-Arm, and into the Left Hypochondrium. 1843 J. G. Wilkinson Swedenborg's Anim. Kingd. I. iv. 109 Placed, for the most part, in the left hypochondrium, immediately under the diaphragm. |
b. The corresponding part of the body of lower animals; the iliac region.