Body waste, composed of undigested food residues, remains of digestive secretions that have not been reabsorbed, bacteria from the intestinal tract, cells, cell debris and mucus from the intestinal lining, and substances excreted into the intestinal tract (mainly in the bile).
Solid waste matter passed from the bowels through the anus.
Faeces, or stools, consist of the remainder of the food after it has passed through the alimentary canal and been subjected to the action of the digestive juices, and after the nutritious parts have been absorbed by the intestinal mucous membrane. The stools also contain various other matters, such as pigment derived from the bile, and bacteria. Most adults pass faeces once daily, but infants have several evacuations of the bowels in 24 hours and some adults may defaecate only two or three times weekly. Sudden changes in bowel habit, persistent diarrhoea or a change from the normal dark brown (caused by the bile pigment, stercobilin) to very pale or very dark stools are all reasons for seeking medical advice. Blood in the stools, while most commonly due to haemorrhoids, may be a sign of serious illness, and anyone with such symptoms should see a doctor.
Faeces, also known as stool or bowel movement, are solid waste materials formed in the large intestine and passed out of the body through the anus. They consist of indigestible food remnants (dietary fibre), deceased bacteria, shed intestinal lining cells, intestinal secretions like mucus, liver-produced bile (which gives faeces their characteristic brown color), and water.
The examination of faeces plays a crucial role in diagnosing disorders related to the digestive tract, such as malabsorption. Samples of faeces are assessed physically for attributes like color, odor, and consistency, as well as for the presence of blood. Additionally, a specialized test called a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used to identify hidden blood in the faeces. Microscopic analysis may be conducted to detect the presence of pus, parasites, or microorganisms. Furthermore, chemical tests may be carried out to assess the excretion of fat.