What term describes an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity?

The term that describes an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity is ascites. Ascites is a condition commonly associated with liver disease, heart failure, malignancies, and infections. It involves the buildup of fluid in the peritoneal space, which can lead to discomfort, abdominal distention, and difficulty breathing due to pressure on the diaphragm. Detecting ascites often requires diagnostic procedures like ultrasound or paracentesis, where fluid is withdrawn for analysis.

Hydrocephalus refers to an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricular system, primarily affecting the head and cranial cavity, not the abdomen. Edema is a general term for swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues, but it does not specifically refer to the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, ascites is the precise medical term used to describe this specific condition.