What is feces in biology?
Human feces (or faeces in British English or poop) is the solid or semisolid remains of food that could not be digested or absorbed in the small intestine of humans, but has been further broken down by bacteria in the large intestine.
What is the scientific name for poop?
Feces (or faeces), colloquially known as poop, are the solid or semisolid remains of the food that could not be digested in the small intestine.
How is feces discharged from the body?
It is discharged through the anus during a process called defecation. Human feces has similarities to the feces of other animals and varies significantly in appearance (i.e. size, color, texture), according to the state of the diet, digestive system and general health. Normally human feces is semisolid, with a mucus coating.
What is it called when you pass feces?
In America when you pass feces it is known as a bowel movement and this is often shortened to BM if you want to be extra polite. Brits tend to say 'opening your bowels' as in 'how many times a week do you open your bowels?'
What is feces used for?
Feces is discharged through the anus or cloaca during defecation . Feces can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner in agriculture.
What is the process of eating feces?
Feces serves not only as a basic food, but also as a supplement to the usual diet of some animals. This process is known as coprophagia, and occurs in various animal species such as young elephants eating the feces of their mothers to gain essential gut flora, or by other animals such as dogs, rabbits, and monkeys.
What is dried animal dung used for?
Dry animal dung is burned and used as a fuel source in many countries around the world. Some animal feces, especially that of camel, bison, and cattle, is a source of fuel when dried.
What is a civet coffee?
Kopi luwak (pronounced [ˈkopi ˈlu.aʔ] ), or civet coffee, is coffee made from coffee berries that have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet ( Paradoxurus hermaphroditus ). Giant pandas provide fertilizer for the world's most expensive green tea. In Malaysia, tea is made from the droppings of stick insects fed on guava leaves.
What is stool in farming?
In husbandry and farming, manure is common. Stool is a common term in reference to human feces. For example, in medicine, to diagnose the presence or absence of a medical condition, a stool sample sometimes is requested for testing purposes.
How often do you defecate?
Depending on the individual and the circumstances, human beings may defecate several times a day, every day, or once every two or three days. Extensive hardening of the feces that interrupts this routine for several days or more is called constipation .
How much mercury is needed to expel feces?
This process requires pressures that may reach 100 millimetres of mercury (3.9 inHg) (13.3 kPa) in humans and 450 millimetres of mercury (18 inHg) (60 kPa) in penguins. The forces required to expel the feces is generated through muscular contractions and a build-up of gases inside the gut, prompting the sphincter to relieve ...
What is the color of feces?
The feces of a newborn, full-term infant is called meconium. It is a dark greenish brown color, smooth and semisolid in consistency. Disinfection.
What microorganisms can be found in feces?
Microorganisms that may be detected include the typhoid and paratyphoid bacilli, the anthrax bacilli, and Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amebic dysentery.
Why is my stool red?
Causes of blood in stool range from harmless, annoying conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as hemorrhoids to serious conditions such as cancer.
What is stool specimen?
A sample of feces (stool specimen) may be required as a diagnostic aid. The specimen should be collected in a bedpan and transferred into a sterile container, using a wooden spatula or tongue blade for this purpose.
Why is it important to inspect stool?
Because the characteristics of the feces can be of help in the diagnosis of various diseases , it is important to inspect the stool for color, consistency, odor, and number of stools per day. Abnormalities should be noted on the patient's chart or reported to the physician. Specimens.
What does it mean when your feces turn red?
Bright red blood in the feces can indicate a wide variety of disorders ranging from hemorrhoids to a malignancy of the rectum.
What does it mean when your bowels are brown?
A balanced diet and an established routine can promote regular bowel movements. Characteristics. Normally feces are soft and formed and brownish in color. An abnormality in color, odor, or consistency usually indicates a disorder of the intestinal tract or of the accessory organs of the digestive system.
What is abnormal poop?
Types of abnormal poop. Causes. Seeing a doctor. Takeaway. Poop, also known as stool or feces, is a normal part of the digestive process. Poop consists of waste products that are being eliminated from the body. It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, and other substances.
Why is my poop red?
While normal poop is usually brown, other colors are possible, including black or white. Poop that is red-colored may be the result of gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids.
How to get rid of a swollen bowel?
To ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, follow the tips below: 1 Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old; women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily. 2 Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber. 3 Take probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can be found in capsule form, although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics. Probiotics have been found to aid in relief from constipation, as well as infectious diarrhea. 4 Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide is often used to treat constipation. It is safe for most people, although it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiency. 5 Exercise: Staying physically active can encourage normal bowel function and can alleviate constipation. It also relieves stress, a common cause of abnormal poops.
What does a Bristol stool chart indicate?
Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered healthy stool, while types 5 to 7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.
Why are my stools white?
If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some anti-diarrhea medications cause white stools.
Why is my poop black?
Black. Stools that are black, especially if they have the appearance of coffee grounds, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Substances such as iron supplements, black licorice, black stout, and bismuth medications also cause black poop.
How to get rid of a swollen intestine?
Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber. Take probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can be found in capsule form, although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics.
What causes a dry mass of bowel movement?
Constipation. Chronic constipation may cause a dry, hard mass of stool (impacted stool) ...
What is the condition where the rectum drops down into the anus?
Rectal prolapse. Fecal incontinence can be a result of this condition, in which the rectum drops down into the anus. The stretching of the rectal sphincter by prolapse damages the nerves that control the rectal sphincter. The longer this persists, the less likely the nerves and muscles will recover. Rectocele.
What is it called when you can't stop defecating?
This is called urge incontinence . Another type of fecal incontinence occurs in people who are not aware of the need to pass stool. This is called passive incontinence .
Why is it so hard to hold a stool back?
Injury to the rings of muscle at the end of the rectum (anal sphincter) may make it difficult to hold stool back properly. This kind of damage can occur during childbirth, especially if you have an episiotomy or forceps are used during delivery. Nerve damage.
How to prevent fecal incontinence?
Increase your exercise, eat more high-fiber foods and drink plenty of fluids. Control diarrhea. Treating or eliminating the cause of the diarrhea, such as an intestinal infection, may help you avoid fecal incontinence. Avoid straining.
Can a person with diabetes have fecal incontinence?
People who have long-standing diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or back trauma from injury or surgery may be at risk of fecal incontinence, as these conditions can damage nerves that help control defecation. Dementia. Fecal incontinence is often present in late-stage Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Physical disability.
Why is encopresis painful?
Most cases of encopresis are the result of chronic constipation. In constipation, the child's stool is hard, dry and may be painful to pass. As a result, the child avoids going to the toilet — making the problem worse. The longer the stool remains in the colon, the more difficult it is for the child to push stool out.
What are the symptoms of a dry, hard stool?
Constipation with dry, hard stool. Passage of large stool that clogs or almost clogs the toilet. Avoidance of bowel movements. Long periods of time between bowel movements. Lack of appetite. Abdominal pain. Problems with daytime wetting or bedwetting (enuresis) Repeated bladder infections, typically in girls.
Why does my child not go to the toilet?
As a result, the child avoids going to the toilet — making the problem worse. The longer the stool remains in the colon, the more difficult it is for the child to push stool out . The colon stretches, ultimately affecting the nerves that signal when it's time to go to the toilet.
What causes encopresis?
There are several causes of encopresis, including constipation and emotional issues.
What is the meaning of "premature" in toilet training?
Premature, difficult or conflict-filled toilet training. Changes in the child's life, such as dietary changes, toilet training, starting school or schedule changes. Emotional stressors, for example, the divorce of a parent or the birth of a sibling.
How to help a child with constipation?
Help your child avoid constipation by providing a balanced diet that's high in fiber and encouraging your child to drink enough water.
Is soiling a sign of constipation?
In most cases, soiling is a symptom of chronic constipation. Far less frequently it occurs without constipation and may be the result of emotional issues. Encopresis can be frustrating for parents — and embarrassing for the child. However, with patience and positive reinforcement, treatment for encopresis is usually successful.
Why is my poop hard?
Poop that is hard and shaped like tiny rocks or pebbles is likely just a sign of constipation . You can still be considered constipated even if you are able to pass a small amount of stool. The large intestine helps to concentrate waste by absorbing water.
What is the function of bowel movement?
Having a bowel movement is a critical part of digesting the food we eat. Stool formed by the large intestine is the body’s way of getting rid of waste. While you should talk to your doctor about any concerns, changes in poop color and consistency could show what is happening inside your digestive system.
What does it mean when your stool is thin?
If there is a sudden and consistent change in your stool always being thin, it could mean there is a blockage in your colon , and you should see your doctor.
Why does stool change color?
The color of stool is impacted by the foods you eat and the kind of bacteria living in your colon. “There are a lot of food colorings added to what we eat and drink, so of course the color of your stool is then going to change,” says Lee.
Why is my poop black and tarry?
Black and Tarry. The most common cause of black and tarry poop is from taking iron supplements or a medication containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol . However, it could mean you’re losing blood somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or small intestine.
Why is my stool thin?
Stool that is only occasionally very thin is not a cause for concern. It is likely due to muscle contractions in the large intestine as it helps to concentrate waste.
What is the color of human feces?
Brown. Human feces ordinarily has a light to dark brown coloration, which results from a combination of bile, and bilirubin derivatives of stercobilin and urobilin, from dead red blood cells. Normally it is semisolid, with a mucus coating.
Where is human feces absorbed?
Human feces (or faeces in British English or poop) is the solid or semisolid remains of food that could not be digested or absorbed in the small intestine of humans, but has been further broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. It also contains bacteria and a relatively small amount of metabolic waste products such as bacterially altered ...
What is the Bristol stool scale?
The Bristol stool scale is a medical aid designed to classify the form of human feces into seven categories. Sometimes referred to in the UK as the Meyers Scale, it was developed by K.W. Heaton at the University of Bristol and was first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997.
Why is my stool gray?
Pale or gray. Stool that is pale or grey may be caused by insufficient bile output due to conditions such as cholecystitis, gallstones, giardia parasitic infection, hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or cirrhosis. Bile pigments from the liver give stool its brownish color.
What is stool test?
Clinical laboratory examination of feces, usually termed as stool examination or stool test, is conducted for the sake of diagnosis; for example, to detect the presence of parasites such as pinworms and their eggs (ova) or to detect disease-spreading bacteria.
What causes blood in stool?
Conditions that can also cause blood in the stool include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis, colon cancer, and ulcerative colitis. The same color change can be observed after consuming foods that contain a substantial proportion of animal blood, such as black pudding or tiết canh.
What is the meaning of disgust and shame?
Disgust is experienced primarily in relation to the sense of taste (either perceived or imagined) and , secondarily to anything that causes a similar feeling by sense of smell, touch, or vision.
Why is "liquid dooky" called "poop"?
This slang name and poop synonym which is popular in America was adopted as the title of a Green Day album because when on tour they kept going down with diarrhea. They were originally going to call it Liquid Dooky but thought the name a bit too gross.
Where does the poop worm start?
It starts just above the right hip and travels upwards to just under the liver where it starts to bend round into the transverse colon. Its function along with the aid of friendly bacteria is to remove water, salts and vitamins from ingested food and start to solidify the liquid waste into solid poop.
Which part of the colon is the bendy bit?
The first part of the colon is the cecum which connects to the small intestine and then afterwards follows the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid colon, the bendy bit just before the rectum or back passage. The colon is home to trillions of microbes most of them friendly and helpful.
What is the upper alimentary canal?
The upper alimentary canal consists of the mouth, pharynx (the bit that connects the back of the mouth to the food pipe), esophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). The lower alimentary canal is made up from the second and third parts of the small intestine, all of the large intestine and the anus.
How many microbes are in the colon?
The colon is home to trillions of microbes most of them friendly and helpful.
What is the color of bile?
Bile is a green/yellow/brow nish bitter fluid secreted continuously by the liver that aids in the digestion of fat and the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. It also excretes bilirubin which results from the breakdown of old red blood cells.
Which side of the abdomen is the large intestine?
The part of the colon or large intestine on the left side of the abdomen which travels down between the transverse to the sigmoid colon.
Overview
Terminology
Feces is the scientific terminology, while the term stool is also commonly used in medical contexts. Outside of scientific contexts, these terms are less common, with the most common layman's term being poo (or poop in North American English). The term shit is also in common use, although is widely considered vulgar or offensive. There are many other terms, see below.
Characteristics
The distinctive odor of feces is due to skatole, and thiols (sulfur-containing compounds), as well as amines and carboxylic acids. Skatole is produced from tryptophan via indoleacetic acid. Decarboxylation gives skatole.
The perceived bad odor of feces has been hypothesized to be a deterrent for humans, as consuming or touching it may result in sickness or infection.
Ecology
After an animal has digested eaten material, the remains of that material are discharged from its body as waste. Although it is lower in energy than the food from which it is derived, feces may retain a large amount of energy, often 50% of that of the original food. This means that of all food eaten, a significant amount of energy remains for the decomposers of ecosystems. Many organisms feed on feces, from bacteria to fungi to insects such as dung beetles, who can sense o…
Human feces
Depending on the individual and the circumstances, human beings may defecate several times a day, every day, or once every two or three days. Extensive hardening of the feces that interrupts this routine for several days or more is called constipation.
The appearance of human fecal matter varies according to diet and health. Normally it is semisolid, with a mucus coating. A combination of bile and bilirubin, which comes from dead red bl…
Uses of animal feces
The feces of animals, e.g. guano and manure often are used as fertilizer.
Dry animal dung, such as that of camel, bison and cattle, is burned as fuel many countries.
Animals such as the giant panda and zebra possess gut bacteria capable of producing biofuel. The bacterium in question, Brocadia anammoxidans, can b…
Society and culture
In all human cultures, feces elicits varying degrees of disgust in adults. Children under two years typically have no disgust response to it, suggesting it is culturally derived. Disgust toward feces appears to be strongest in cultures where flush toilets make olfactory contact with human feces minimal. Disgust is experienced primarily in relation to the sense of taste (either perceived or imag…
Gallery
• Feces samples
• Bear scat
• Bear scat showing consumption of bin bags
• The cassowary disperses plant seeds via its feces