Viscera and viscus

Viscera is a term used to describe all of the organs inside the cavities (openings) of the body. However, viscera is typically used to refer to all of the organs inside of the abdomen (belly). Viscera inside the abdominal area are sometimes these are referred to as guts or innards. Some examples of viscera throughout the body include the intestines, stomach, colon, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gall bladder, and urinary bladder. Viscera is plural of viscus, a term for any organ inside of the body. Organs that are hollow, have multiple layers, and which are studied in splanchnology (the study of the organs inside of the body) are also referred to as viscus. Another word that means the same thing as viscus is splanchnic. The nerves that communicate with the viscera are known as the vagus nerve and the sphlanchnic nerves. The vagus nerve sends sensory information about the viscera to the brain and spinal cord. The sphlanchnic nerves are paired nerves that control the function of the viscera.

In ancient times, Roman priests used to examine the viscera of animals to tell the future based on their dimensions, shape, and other characteristics. When the viscera are removed from a butchered animal, it is commonly referred to as offal. The word "visceral" means referring to the viscera. Viscera is also known as vitals. Viscera comes from the Latin word "viscus" meaning "internal organs."