Visceroptosis is a

prolapse In medicine, prolapse is a condition in which organs fall down or slip out of place. It is used for organs protruding through the vagina, rectum, or for the misalignment of the valves of the heart. A spinal disc herniation is also sometimes ca ...

or a sinking of the

abdominal The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso ...

viscera In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a f ...

(internal organs) below their natural position. " Ptosis" being the defining term, any or all of the organs may be displaced downward. When only the intestines are involved, the condition is known as ''enteroptosis''. When the stomach is found below its normal position, the term '' gastroptosis'' is used. The condition exists in all degrees of severity and may not give rise to any adverse symptoms. Generally, when adverse symptoms are associated with the condition, however, there may be

loss of appetite Anorexia is a medical term for a loss of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used interchangeably with anorexia nervosa, many possible causes exist for a loss of appetite, some of which may be harmless, while others i ...

heartburn Heartburn, also known as pyrosis, cardialgia or acid indigestion, is a burning sensation in the central chest or upper central abdomen. Heartburn is usually due to regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux) into the esophagus. It is the m ...

, nervous

indigestion Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a condition of impaired digestion. Symptoms may include upper abdominal fullness, heartburn, nausea, belching, or upper abdominal pain. People may also experience feeling full earlier t ...

constipation Constipation is a bowel dysfunction that makes bowel movements infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement ...

diarrhea Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin w ...

, abdominal distention, headache,

vertigo Vertigo is a condition where a person has the sensation of movement or of surrounding objects moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties w ...

emaciation Emaciation is defined as the state of extreme thinness from absence of body fat and muscle wasting usually resulting from malnutrition. Characteristics In humans, the physical appearance of emaciation includes thinned limbs, pronounced and protrud ...

, and loss of

sleep Sleep is a sedentary state of mind and body. It is characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and reduced interactions with surroundings. It is distinguished from wakefulness by a de ...

. Any or all of these symptoms may be present. The condition may be brought about by loss of muscular tone, particularly of the abdominal muscles, with relaxation of the ligaments that typically hold the viscera in place.

Tightlacing Tightlacing (also called corset training) is the practice of wearing a tightly-laced corset. It is done to achieve cosmetic modifications to the figure and posture or to experience the sensation of bodily restriction. History Corsets were first ...

has been held to be a cause as well.

Corsets A corset is a support garment commonly worn to hold and train the torso into a desired shape, traditionally a smaller waist or larger bottom, for aesthetic or medical purposes (either for the duration of wearing it or with a more lasting effe ...

to reduce the circumference of women's waists have been used to enable fashionable styles occurring during several historical periods, such as the late 1800s and early 1900s, when these symptoms were described for treatment by physicians. Adverse symptoms may be alleviated by supporting the organs with a properly applied bandage, or other similar device. Rest in bed, attention to diet,

hygiene Hygiene is a series of practices performed to preserve health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Personal hygiene refer ...

, exercise, and general muscular strengthening will cure the majority of cases. In some cases, surgical intervention may become necessary. Visceroptosis is a known risk factor for the development of

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a gastro-vascular disorder in which the third and final portion of the duodenum is compressed between the abdominal aorta (AA) and the overlying superior mesenteric artery. This rare, potentially life ...

. Visceroptosis also is known as Glénard's disease (after French physician Frantz Glénard 848–1920. * Glénard's theory – the theory that abdominal ptosis is a nutritional disease with atrophy and prolapse of the intestine * Glénard's test (also called ''girdle test'') – while standing behind the patient, the examiner places his arms around the patient, so that his hands meet in front of the patient's abdomen; he squeezes, raising the viscera, and then allows them to fall suddenly; Glénard's theory suggests that if the patient feels relieved by the raising pressure and experiences distress on the release, the condition is probably one of splanchnoptosis

Dorland's Medical Dictionary ''Dorland's'' is the brand name of a family of medical reference works (including dictionaries, spellers and word books, and spell-check software) in various media spanning printed books, CD-ROMs, and online content. The flagship products are ''Do ...

* Stiller's theory – the theory that gastroptosis is due to universal

asthenia Weakness is a symptom of a number of different conditions. The causes are many and can be divided into conditions that have true or perceived muscle weakness. True muscle weakness is a primary symptom of a variety of skeletal muscle diseases, i ...

characterized by weakness and laxity of the viscera

References

External links

* {{Gastroenterology Diseases of intestines Anatomical pathology