WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday in a major abortion case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, No. 15-274. Here is a look at the legal issues and how the justices might respond:

Q. Who are the plaintiffs?

A. The case was brought by several Texas abortion clinics and three doctors who perform the procedure in the state.

Q. What do they want?

A. The plaintiffs seek to strike down two restrictions in a law enacted by the Texas Legislature in 2013. One part of the law requires all abortion clinics in the state to meet the standards for “ambulatory surgical centers,” including regulations concerning buildings, equipment and staffing. The other part requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

Q. Why were the restrictions enacted?

A. That is in dispute. Texas officials say the restrictions were needed to protect women’s health. Abortion rights groups say the restrictions are expensive, unnecessary and a ruse intended to put many of the clinics out of business.

Q. What has happened since the law was enacted?

A. The number of abortion clinics in Texas has dropped by half, to about 20 from more than 40. Had the Supreme Court not blocked part of the law while it is considering the case, the challengers say, the number of clinics would have again dropped by half, to about 10.