What condition is characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen?

Ascites is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. This condition often results from various underlying issues, such as liver cirrhosis, heart failure, or certain cancers, which lead to increased pressure in the veins that supply the liver or changes in the body's fluid regulation. The buildup of fluid can cause abdominal distension, discomfort, and further complications, including infection.

The other conditions mentioned relate to different medical issues: a hernia involves the protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it; gout is a type of arthritis characterized by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints; and peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which may lead to fluid buildup but is fundamentally an inflammatory response rather than a direct accumulation of fluid like ascites.