Human Anatomy – Abdomen

Known also as the belly, the abdomen refers to the space between the chest (thorax) and the pelvis. It holds the kidneys and spleen as well as the entire digestive system, which includes the colon, small intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and stomach. Special abdominal tissues called mesentery loosely keep these organs together, leaving just enough space for them to expand.

Besides skin, the abdomen is protected in the front by a thin crust of tissue known as the fascia. The flipside of the abdomen is covered with back muscles.

Several vital blood vessels ply through the abdomen, such as the aorta and the inferior vena cava.

Surprising News: Germs May Be Making Us ... Fat (or So Say Researchers)

The latest word in weight loss? Germs. A new study that's getting a lot of buzz points out that germs may play a role in weight gain. Grab your hand sanitizer and read on ...

Surprising research news: Scientists from Emory University in Atlanta who published a study in the journal Science, say that certain bacteria could play a role in the obesity epidemic.

Their study of mice found that specific bacteria that may cause gut inflammation may also increase appetite and possibly play a role in weight gain. Put simply, certain germs may make you hungry, the scientists say.

"Previous research has suggested that bacteria can influence how well energy is absorbed from food, but these findings demonstrate that intestinal bacteria can actually influence appetite," the lead researcher said to Reuters Health.

Spice It Up--For Your Health

Are you like me--a spice-aholic? I can't get past the condiment bar at the cafe without sprinkling a little cinnamon on top of my latte or enjoy a dinner without a dash of red pepper or maybe some oregano--mmm. It's all good, say experts. Spices have all kinds of health benefits. More after the jump ...

The bloggers over at That's Fit recently posted something on the health benefits of spices--some of which you've probably heard: "Using spice has been linked to weight loss," they write, "and using herbs and spices in place of salt can benefit your blood pressure."

But, there's more: One recent study, which That's Fit points out, found that many herbs and spices may protect your body from inflammation, a big concern for diabetics. The most effective spices, according to the researchers were cloves, cinnamon, allspice, apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice--among others. (Mmm ... don't you feel like having a slice of pie right now? What is with me and pie these days? Oh, I forgot: I'm pregnant.)

Reader Dilemma: "Help! I Want to Look Amazing When I See My Ex Next Month. What Can I Do to Get in Shape--Fast?"

Oh, isn't this the--secret--concern of every person everywhere (whether you want to admit it or not, or whether it's an ex or just an old pal)? If you have some big event on the calendar in the next few weeks or month and want to do what you can to get svelte beforehand, Jessica Simpson's trainer has some advice for you ...

Vitamin G reader Tanya asks: "I'm going to be seeing my ex next month at a wedding. We're both single again, and I still have feelings for him. I gained a little weight over the winter, and I'd really like to slim down and look great for our meeting. Help!! What can I do?"

Open Enrollment Time: What You Need to Know About Your Health Insurance Plan Choices

It's a popular time of year for open enrollment--when companies allow you to pick your insurance plan and other benefits. Andrew Rubin, Vice President for Medical Center Clinical Affairs and Affiliates NYU Langone Medical Center, estimates that 25 percent of people don't even open their benefits book and just go with the default plan. But this year it's more important than ever to analyze your options. Here are a few things to know:

What's different this year?

Most employers have changed their plans this year due to the economy, say Rubin, and you'll have to foot a much larger portion of the bill. Health care costs have soared, and in flush times, employers have absorbed those increases. But when companies are choosing between layoffs or passing health care costs to employees, they often pick the latter (or both).

Let's Talk About Brooke Shields Virginity Comments, and Her Sex-Weight Connection

I think Brooke Shields is pretty much great. In fact, her Volkswagen minivan commercials have almost convinced me that I need one. Note, the word "almost." But what do you make of her comments in the new issue of Health magazine about virginity, sex and weight? Let's talk about this...

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(P.S. Come on over to Little Miss Fortune today to see photos of my self-haircutting exploits!)

Brooke Shields is speaking out in this issue of Health about losing her virginity at 22. Here's what she had to say about wishing she'd lost it sooner:

"I think I would have had sex a lot earlier!" the actress jokes in the June issue of Health magazine. "I think I would have lost my virginity earlier than I did at 22. I had the public and this pressure, and I wish I had just gotten it over with in the beginning, when it was sort of OK. I think I could have been much more in touch with myself."

Koga: A Fitness Do or Don't?

Some fitness hybrids sound like fun. Yoga + ballet? Sign me up! While I'm all for trying new things, I'm just not sure I could get into this newish yoga hybrid called koga. Want to guess what it's all about?

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Koga = Yoga + Kickboxing.

If you enjoy the fast-paced nature of a kickboxing workout, and you also love yoga, Koga might be for you. Fans say it gets you lean like nothing else (one woman, in this video, raved that it helped her shed 40 pounds fast).

A fitness do? Maybe--if you're the type that likes a lot of action in your workout. I have to admit, I'm just not sure I could get into Koga. I love the meditative and relatively peaceful nature of regular yoga. The idea of jumping around and doing kicks with some guy wearing a headset coaching in the distance, well, doesn't sound that appealing to me.