Melena vs. Hematochezia

Melenanoun

The passage of dark, tarry stools containing blood, a result of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Melenanoun

See Melæna.

Melenanoun

abnormally dark tarry feces containing blood (usually from gastrointestinal bleeding)

Melena

Melena or melaena refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria.Iron supplements may cause a grayish-black stool that should be distinguished from melena, as should black coloration caused by a number of medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol), or by foods such as beetroot, black liquorice, or blueberries.

Hematochezianoun

(medicine) The presence of fresh blood in stools, often due to lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hematochezianoun

passage of stools containing blood (as from diverticulosis or colon cancer or peptic ulcer)

Hematochezia

Haematochezia is the passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools (contrast with melena). The term is from Greek αἷμα () and χέζειν ().