estomac/ventre

English translation: stomach, abdomen, or belly (but just one word)

08:36 Aug 30, 2006

French to English translations [PRO]
Medical - Medical (general) / plastic surgery

French term or phrase: estomac/ventre

Resultat standard apres liposuccion du ventre, de l'estomac, des hanches, des cuisses et diminution de la poitrine.

This is the caption to a photograph advertising the benefits of plastic surgery or a 'body lift'.
I am just wondering what distinction should be made in English between 'ventre' and 'estomac', which might tend to be translated simply as 'stomach'. Other words which spring to mind are obviously 'abdomen' and the somewhat less formal 'belly' or 'tummy'. Is there a generally accepted medical distinction between the two terms in French? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

French2English KudoZ activity Questions: 1536 (7 open) (8 without valid answers) (21 closed without grading) Answers: 117 United Kingdom
Local time: 07:25

English translation:stomach, abdomen, or belly (but just one word)

Explanation:
I don't think it is easy to distinguish in English. And suspect the distinction is not obvious in French!

Although dictionaries also define "estomac" as that part of the belly corresponding to that part of the digestive tract known as stomach, it seems to me that it would be uncommon to say in French "il a reçu un coup de pied dans l'estomac" (unless the stomach ruptured or something), but rather "dans le ventre".

Now, the French DO distinguish between "ventre" and "bas-ventre", though the latter usually refers to the genitals (you might be kicked in the "bas-ventre"). However, the bas-ventre is really the part of the belly below the navel. While the stomach (digestive organ) is above the navel, in English I think "stomach" (belly) refers to everything between the ribcage and the genitals.

Maybe "upper and lower belly/abdomen". The two DO/CAN enlarge for different reasons, giving "pear-shape" and "apple-shape" bodies.

My procedure done in Dec '04 was liposuction of my upper and lower abdomen, bilateral back, ...
www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/Patient-Stories-Lip...

I am considering it for mild loose skin in upper belly after MTT 3 yrs ago. ... en diciembre del 2005 me realize un tummy tuck completo y liposuccion de la ...
www.lvcosmeticsurgery.com/qanda_Tummy_Tucks.asp

have a big indent (horizontal line) on my upper belly above my belly button and have awful deep wrinkles on my lower abdomen (I take it from poor skin ...
www.lvcosmeticsurgery.com/qanda_Liposuction.asp

I was also left with a large lumpy ridge of fat between my upper belly and lower belly, and very uneven flank areas. I did not wear a bathing suit for over ...
www.plasticsurgery4u.com/pt_qna_folder/pt_qa_liposuction.ht...

The skin of the lower abdomen and that of the upper abdomen appear to behave differently following liposuction. In older patients, the lower abdominal skin ...
www.liposuction.com/faqs/skin_quality.php

The upper abdominal portions do not normally store more fats as the lower abdomen does. Still, it requires more attention since inadequate liposuction of ...
theplasticsurgeryblog.blogspot.com/

Liposuction can be used in both the upper and lower abdomen to achieve a flatter belly. Also, even patients who have moderate amounts of sagging skin can ...
www.liposuctionneworleans.com/liposuction/lipo.html

Selected response from:

Bourth (X)
Local time: 08:25

Grading comment

This is what I used in the end, just to avoid confusion. I included other more familiar words in parentheses, to cater for all registers...but I am not sure I catered for a pooch with a paunch who might want it reduced...which was possibly remiss of me. Thanks to all for an interesting discussion.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +6

stomach, abdomen, or belly (but just one word)

Bourth (X)

3 +4

stomach/abdomen

Philip Taylor

more

Ioanna Karamanou

Discussion entries: 9

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

stomach/abdomen

Explanation:
-

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Note added at 7 mins (2006-08-30 08:43:12 GMT)
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My Harrap's Unabridged gives:
estomac - [anat.] stomach
ventre - [anat.] abdomen

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Note added at 8 mins (2006-08-30 08:44:07 GMT)
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Both can mean stomach of course, but this appears to be the distinction for medical usage.

Philip Taylor
Local time: 07:25
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

25 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

stomach, abdomen, or belly (but just one word)

Bourth (X)
Local time: 08:25
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 107

Grading comment

29 mins confidence:

more

Explanation:
For the purpose of differentiation between the two in the context of plastic surgery, while I think abdomen is the more appropriate term, you cn also refer to estomac as the waist area or waistline and ventre could be what we women sometimes call the (lower) belly or "pooch".

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Note added at 31 mins (2006-08-30 09:08:03 GMT)
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"pooch" of course only when there is a perceived need for liposuction...

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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-08-30 19:13:19 GMT)
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Ok, I know a pooch is a dog, I have a one sitting right here next to me, but for those of you unfamiliar with the term, see the following:

Answers.com:

pooch2 (pūch) pronunciation
intr.v., pooched, pooch·ing, pooch·es.

To bulge; protrude. Used with out: “a little roll of flab that pooches out above the tight waists of their spandex trunks”

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pooch

(includes image)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pooch

Also, I did not confuse it with paunch.

Ioanna Karamanou
United States
Local time: 02:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Greek

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