bulges

A bulge is a rounded protrusion or swelling that extends beyond a surrounding surface or framework. The term is used across disciplines to describe shapes that appear expanded or swollen relative to their surroundings. Bulges can be temporary or permanent and may result from growth, movement of material, or external forces.

In anatomy and medicine, bulges commonly refer to swellings in the body. Examples include abdominal or facial bulges caused by fat, fluid, or muscle enlargements; pregnancy often produces an abdominal bulge as the uterus expands. A bulging disc in the spine is a condition where the disc extends beyond its normal boundary, which can compress nerves. Hernias produce external bulges when tissue or organs protrude through a weakened area of muscle or connective tissue, such as an inguinal bulge.

In astronomy, the galactic bulge is a densely populated, roughly spheroidal assembly of stars at the center of many disk galaxies, including the Milky Way. It contains older stars and is distinct from the surrounding disk and halo, contributing significant infrared emission and dynamical complexity to the galaxy's core.

In other contexts, bulges describe feature-like protrusions on objects or landscapes, such as a bulge on a drum or a prominent swell in architectural detailing. In design and manufacturing, bulges can indicate deformation or intentional shaping that adds structural or aesthetic character.