What does visceral mean in medical term?

In medical terms, "visceral" refers to the organs and structures located within the body, particularly those in the abdominal and thoracic cavities. It can also be used to describe the deep-seated, instinctive or emotional responses that are associated with these organs and their functioning. Here are some specific examples of how visceral is used in a medical context:

- Visceral organs: These include the internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen. Visceral organs are responsible for various bodily functions including digestion, excretion, metabolism, and hormone regulation.

- Visceral pain: This is a type of deep, intense, and aching pain that arises from the internal organs. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of visceral pain, and it may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

- Visceral fat: This refers to the fat that accumulates around the internal organs in the abdomen. Excess visceral fat is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

- Visceral reflexes: These are involuntary responses triggered by the stimulation of visceral organs. For example, the gag reflex is a visceral reflex that helps protect the respiratory system by preventing foreign objects from entering the trachea.

- Visceral sensation: This refers to the sensory information received from the visceral organs, including sensations of pain, hunger, fullness, and nausea. These sensations are transmitted to the brain via the nerves and contribute to our overall perception of internal bodily states.

Visceral also appears in various medical terms and procedures, such as visceral surgery (surgical operations involving the abdominal or thoracic organs), visceral angiography (X-ray imaging of the blood vessels supplying the visceral organs), and visceral manipulation (a therapeutic technique involving gentle manual pressure on the internal organs to improve their function).