What it means
The waste that forms in the large intestinelarj in-TES-tinThe last part of the digestive tract, from the end of the small intestine to the anus, where water is absorbed and stool forms.intestin/o intestineFull entry as water is taken back from digested food. Normal feces are brown (from bile), soft and formed. Nurses describe stool by color, consistency, amount and frequency, often with the Bristol Stool Chart. Black, tarry stool can mean bleeding high in the gut; bright red blood suggests bleeding low in the gut; pale clay-colored stool can mean blocked bile flow.
For the nurse
Report black or bloody stool, a big change in bowel habits, or no bowel movement for several days in a client at risk. Iron supplements can turn stool dark green or black.
At a glance
| Everyday words | stool, poop, bowel movement |
|---|---|
| Spanish | heces |
| Also written | faeces |
Related terms
diarrhea
Loose or watery stools, usually three or more times a day or more often than normal for the person.
constipation
Bowel movements that happen less often than usual, with hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.
bile
A yellow-green fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps digest fats.
stool softener
A drug that lets water and fat mix into stool so it is softer and easier to pass.
large intestine
The last part of the digestive tract, from the end of the small intestine to the anus, where water is absorbed and stool forms.