Bauch

Bauch is a German noun meaning abdomen or belly. In human anatomy it refers to the front part of the torso between the chest and pelvis, and in veterinary contexts to the corresponding area of animals. The abdominal region includes structures such as the abdominal wall, the abdominal cavity, and organs like the stomach and intestines; terms such as Bauchnabel (navel), Bauchspeicheldrüse (pancreas), and Bauchmuskeln (abdominal muscles) are frequently used in everyday language and medical contexts. The word is also used in idiomatic expressions such as Bauchgefühl (gut feeling) and Bauchweh or Bauchschmerzen (stomach ache). A ventriloquist is called a Bauchredner in German.

Etymology and forms: Bauch is of Germanic origin and appears in various compounds and phrases in German. It is cognate with related terms in other Germanic languages, reflecting its long-standing use in describing the belly or abdomen.

As a surname: Bauch is a German-language surname. It is borne by a number of individuals and families and is found in Germany, Austria, and other regions with German-speaking populations.

Usage notes: Beyond anatomy, Bauch figures prominently in everyday speech as a metaphor for intuition or bodily sensation, and in medical terminology in compound nouns describing the abdominal region and related conditions. The term is firmly established in German and appears in both clinical language and common vocabulary.