viscera

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "viscera" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in medical or biological contexts to refer to the internal organs of the body, especially those within the abdominal cavity. Example: "During the surgery, the doctor carefully examined the viscera to ensure there were no signs of disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They wanted to see if there were any differences between the arrangement of the viscera of a sloth as compared to that of other mammals.

The Economist

But it is also home to such curios as Canopic jars, which were used by the ancient Egyptians to store embalmed viscera.

The Economist

Daylight is harsh and bleached, so that the brightness of a butcher's apron stands out against the viscera on his chopping block, while the butcher himself blends into the white-tiled wall.

The Economist

Whereas in pronograde animals the abdominal viscera are supported by the ventral abdominal wall, in the orthograde posture most support comes from the pelvis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The body contains five organs (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys), which store up but do not eliminate, and five viscera (such as the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and bladder), which eliminate but do not store up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By singing, for instance, the medicine man can send out his totem to kill an enemy; the totem enters the chest of the enemy and devours his viscera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tail of a vertebrate is composed of flesh and bone but contains no viscera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This form of the disease is systemic, primarily affecting the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and other viscera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In ancient Egypt the viscera were placed separately in canopic (burial) jars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The embryos migrate to the bloodstream and on reaching muscle or viscera develop into larvae.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pain arises from hollow viscera when the passage of their contents is obstructed and the musculature must undergo strong contraction and stretching.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, consider using "internal organs" instead of the more technical term "viscera" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "viscera" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's a specialized term primarily used in medical or scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The noun "viscera" functions primarily as a technical term in anatomy and medicine, referring to the internal organs of the body. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the arrangement and function of these organs across various species and in medical procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

37%

News & Media

13%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "viscera" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term referring to the internal organs of the body, particularly those within the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Ludwig's analysis confirms its prevalence in encyclopedic, scientific, and news contexts. While "viscera" is technically accurate, the more accessible term "internal organs" may be preferable for general audiences. Use of "viscera" is deemed suitable by Ludwig AI for scientific, medical or anatomy related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visceral organs

More explicitly emphasizes that the organs referenced are viscera.

internal organs

Replaces the technical term "viscera" with a more common and easily understood phrase.

abdominal organs

Specifically refers to the organs located within the abdominal cavity, a subset of all viscera.

entrails

A more archaic term for internal organs, often associated with animal anatomy.

innards

An informal term for internal organs, similar to entrails but less archaic.

organs of the body

A general term referring to any organ within the body, not limited to the abdominal or thoracic cavities.

bowels

Refers specifically to the intestines, a major component of the viscera.

guts

An informal term for the intestines or digestive tract.

vital organs

Refers to the essential organs necessary for life, which may or may not be limited to the viscera.

soft organs

Highlights the soft tissue composition of these inner organs.

FAQs

What does "viscera" mean?

The term "viscera" refers to the internal organs of the body, especially those located within the abdominal and thoracic cavities, such as the liver, heart, and stomach.

When is it appropriate to use the word "viscera"?

The word "viscera" is most appropriate in medical, scientific, or historical contexts when discussing anatomy, surgery, or ancient practices like mummification. In other contexts, using "internal organs" might be more suitable.

What are some other words for "viscera"?

Alternatives to "viscera" include "internal organs", "entrails", "innards", or "abdominal organs" depending on the specific context.

How did ancient Egyptians deal with the "viscera" during mummification?

In ancient Egypt, the "viscera" were removed during mummification and preserved separately in canopic jars, often adorned with symbolic carvings.