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The ABI number for a kernel represents its binary compatability with kernel modules. Any two Debian kernels of the same flavor (-686, -mckinley) and the same ABI number should be able to load the same modules.
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The ABI number is encoded in the package name. For example,
kernel-image-2.6.8-2-686 has an ABI number of 2.
Occasionally, and often due to a security issue, a change is accepted into a kernel package that changes its ABI. The ABI change is represented by a change in the SONAME portion of the kernel-image package name. For example, in linux-image-2.6.17-1-686, the SONAME is 1. Any kernel-module packages need to be recompiled against the updated kernel-headers.

Since a change in the SONAME changes the package name, apt will not automatically upgrade a system to the new kernel. In order for users to track the latest available kernel (meaning the latest kernel security fixes in the stable distribution), installing one of the kernel meta packages is strongly recommended. For example, linux-image-2.6-686 currently depends upon linux-image-2.6.17-1-686. If the kernel ABI should be incremented, a newer version will be made available with a dependency on linux-image-2.6.17-2-686. When linux-image-2.6-686 is dist-upgraded, it will pull in the new linux-image-2.6.17-2-686 package automatically.

Occasionally, and often due to a security issue, a change is accepted into a kernel package that changes its ABI. The ABI change is represented by a change in the SONAME portion of the kernel-image package name. For example, in linux-image-2.6.17-1-686, the SONAME is 1. Any kernel-module packages need to be recompiled against the updated kernel-headers.

Since a change in the SONAME changes the package name, apt will not automatically upgrade a system to the new kernel. In order for users to track the latest available kernel (meaning the latest kernel security fixes in the stable distribution), installing one of the kernel meta packages is strongly recommended. For example, linux-image-2.6-686 currently depends upon linux-image-2.6.17-1-686. If the kernel ABI should be incremented, a newer version will be made available with a dependency on linux-image-2.6.17-2-686. When linux-image-2.6-686 is dist-upgraded, it will pull in the new linux-image-2.6.17-2-686 package automatically.