みぞおち

Body part

みぞおち refers to the soft, vulnerable area in the upper abdomen, just below where the ribs meet. It is a sensitive area because the solar plexus nerve cluster is located there.

Why painful

A blow to the みぞおち can cause severe pain, difficulty breathing, and even loss of consciousness because it affects the diaphragm and solar plexus nerves.

Writing

• Usually written in hiragana
• Can be written as 鳩尾(みぞおち) (literally "pigeon tail") but hiragana is more common

Medical note

Pain in the みぞおち area can indicate stomach problems, heartburn, or more serious conditions.

Related words

• 腹(はら)/お腹(なか) - stomach/abdomen
• 胃(い) - stomach (organ)
• 胸(むね) - chest