What is "coeliac"

Coeliac \C[oe]"li*ac\, Celiac \Ce"li*ac\, a. [L. coeliacus, Gr. ?, fr. ? belly, fr. koi^los hollow.] Relating to the abdomen, or to the cavity of the abdomen.

C[oe]liac artery (Anat.), the artery which issues from the aorta just below the diaphragm; -- called also c[oe]liac axis.

C[oe]liac flux, C[oe]liac passion (Med.), a chronic flux or diarrhea of undigested food.

1660s, from Latin coeliacus, from Greek koiliakos "pertaining to the bowels," also "pain in the bowels," from koilia "bowels, abdominal cavity, intestines, tripe" from koilos "hollow," from PIE root *keue- "to swell; vault, hole" (see cumulus).

a. 1 (context UK anatomy English) Relating to the abdomen, or to the cavity of the abdomen. 2 (context UK English) ''Abbreviation of'' coeliac disease; ''used attributively''. n. (context UK English) Someone who has coeliac disease.

adj. of or in or belonging to the cavity of the abdomen [syn: celiac]