What is the difference between "estómago" and "barriga"?

"El estómago" is the anatomic stomach; "la barriga" or "la panza" is the colloquial "belly" — the whole abdominal area as patients describe it.

Abdomen and Pelvis Vocabulary in Spanish

Abdominal anatomy spans GI, GU, and OB/GYN. These Spanish terms cover the organs and surface anatomy you reference in any abdominal complaint.

Patients localise abdominal pain to "la boca del estómago" (epigastrium) or "el bajo vientre" (lower abdomen). Learn both.
"Estómago" means the organ, "barriga" or "panza" the whole belly. Patients almost always mean the second.
For quadrants, point and confirm rather than translate — "¿Aquí?" with your hand is clearer than any anatomical phrase.

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