umbilicus

[ uhm-bil-i-kuh s, uhm-buh-lahy-kuh s ]
/ ʌmˈbɪl ɪ kəs, ˌʌm bəˈlaɪ kəs /

noun, plural um·bil·i·ci [uhm-bil-uh-sahy, uhm-buh-lahy-sahy] /ʌmˈbɪl əˌsaɪ, ˌʌm bəˈlaɪ saɪ/.

Anatomy. the depression in the center of the surface of the abdomen indicating the point of attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo; navel.
Botany, Zoology. a navellike formation, as the hilum of a seed.

Origin of umbilicus

1605–15; < Latin umbilīcus navel, middle, center; see navel

Example sentences from the Web for umbilicus

British Dictionary definitions for umbilicus

umbilicus
/ (ʌmˈbɪlɪkəs, ˌʌmbɪˈlaɪkəs) /

noun plural -bilici (-ˈbɪlɪˌsaɪ, -bɪˈlaɪsaɪ)

biology a hollow or navel-like structure, such as the cavity at the base of a gastropod shell
anatomy a technical name for the navel

Derived forms of umbilicus

umbiliform (ʌmˈbɪlɪˌfɔːm), adjective

Word Origin for umbilicus

C18: from Latin: navel, centre; compare Latin umbō shield boss, Greek omphalos navel

Medical definitions for umbilicus

umbilicus
[ ŭm-bĭlĭ-kəs, ŭm′bə-līkəs ]

n. pl um•bil•i•ci (-sī′)

navel