barriga

Barriga is the common Brazilian Portuguese term for the abdomen or belly. It is an informal word used in everyday speech, while more formal anatomical terms such as abdômen (the standard medical term in Portuguese) or ventre are used in clinical or European contexts.

Anatomy and function: The abdomen is the region between the chest and the pelvis. It contains the abdominal wall, made up of skin, fat, and muscles (including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transversus abdominis), which support posture and assist in breathing and movement. Inside the peritoneal cavity lie most of the digestive organs—the stomach, small and large intestines—and other organs such as the liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder. The diaphragm forms the upper boundary of the abdomen, and the abdominal muscles help protect internal organs and facilitate forceful exhalation, coughing, and lifting.

Health and body weight: Abdominal fat distribution, particularly visceral fat around internal organs, is linked to higher risks of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Health assessments often consider waist circumference and body mass index. Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and genetics influence belly fat and overall health.

Pregnancy and culture: In pregnancy, barriga commonly refers to the growing baby bump, with the belly changing shape and size as gestation progresses. The term also appears in expressions and social contexts, for example in phrases related to surrogacy in some regions, where "barriga de aluguel" denotes a surrogate pregnancy. Barriga thus functions as a versatile, everyday term for a familiar body region with medical and cultural relevance.