How Do You Spell BELLY BUTTON?
Pronunciation: [bˈɛlɪ bˈʌtən] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [bˈɛlɪ bˈʌtən] (IPA)
The term "belly button" refers to a small, rounded, and usually indented scar on the abdomen, located centrally between the lower part of the ribcage and the pelvis. Also known as the navel or umbilicus, it is a remnant of the umbilical cord that connected an unborn baby to its mother during pregnancy.
The belly button appears shortly after birth when the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving behind a small stump that gradually dries up and falls off. What remains is the depression known as the belly button. This scar is typically an inch or less in diameter, though it can vary in size and shape among individuals.
While the primary function of the belly button ends at birth, it remains a visible mark throughout one's life. It serves as a reminder of the baby's connection to the mother and the origin of nutrition during the fetal stage. Additionally, the belly button has minimal sensitivity and is largely devoid of nerve endings.
From an anatomical perspective, the belly button marks the joining of the abdominal muscles at the linea alba, forming a distinguishable point on the midline of the abdomen. Its appearance and depth can vary, influenced by factors such as genetic predispositions, body weight, and the occurrence of surgical interventions, such as hernia repair.
Overall, the belly button holds symbolic, historical, and physiological significance, representing the connection between mother and child and functioning as a visible characteristic of the human body.
Umbilicus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "belly button" is a compound of two separate words: "belly" and "button".
The term "belly" originated from the Old English word "belg", which referred to the human or animal trunk or body. Over time, "belg" evolved into "belly" and has been used to describe the front part of the human torso.
On the other hand, "button" comes from the Old French word "bouton", meaning a bud or a swelling. It was later borrowed into Middle English as "button". In this context, it refers to a small protuberance or protrusion.
Therefore, combining the words "belly" and "button" creates the term "belly button" which is used to describe the small, protruding scar on the abdomen where the umbilical cord was once attached during embryonic development.
