The Collaborative International Dictionary
Praecordia
Praecordia \Pr[ae]*cor"di*a\, n. [L., fr. prae before + cor, cordis, the heart.] (Anat.) The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.
Wiktionary
praecordia
n. (context anatomy English) The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.
Usage examples of "praecordia".
The third stadium: pulse, though soft, becomes exceedingly small and unequal: the heat about the praecordia increases much, respiration becomes difficult with frequent sighs: the patient grows yet more anxious, and extremely restless: sweat flows from the face, neck and breast: deglutination becomes difficult, subsultus tendinum comes on, the patient picks the nap of his bedclothes.
An old Latin distich celebrates its virtues: Enula campana reddit praecordia sana (Elecampane will the spirits sustain).