In Brief

A proper understanding of abdominal biomechanics is essential for improving the prevention and treatment of disorders and injuries of the abdomen. Despite numerous investigations, the exact mechanical behavior of the abdomen and the causes of many abdominal injuries are still not completely known. This is partially due to the inherent limitations of experimental studies, such as high cost, difficulties associated with obtaining accurate measures of strain and stress, and especially the difficult, and sometimes impossible, reproduction of certain natural, pathological, or degenerative situations. Finite element models have proven to be able to provide deep insights into the mechanical properties of biological tissues and the performance of living organs, reducing both cost and time. An appropriately developed finite element model is a powerful tool for predicting the effects of the different parameters involved, and for providing information otherwise difficult to obtain from experiments.