What is "acute abdomen"

n. A condition of the abdomen which is indicated by an acute onset of severe pain.(reference-book last = first = authorlink = coauthors = editor =Thomas, Clayton L. others = title =Taber's Encyclopedic Medical Dictionary origdate = origyear = 1940 origmonth = url = format = accessdate = accessyear = accessmonth = edition = 5th date = year =1993 month = publisher =F. A. Davis Company location =Philadelphia, PA language = id = doi = isbn =0-8036-8313-8 lccn = ol = pages =1 chapter = chapterurl = quote =)

The term acute abdomen refers to a sudden, severe abdominal pain of unclear etiology that is less than 24 hours in duration. It is in many cases a medical emergency, requiring urgent and specific diagnosis. Several causes need surgical treatment.