hematemesis

1 9.9

Vomiting blood from the stomach or food pipe

noun
/ˌhɛm.əˈtɛm.ə.sɪs/

Specialized

: hematemesis

After vomiting blood, he was rushed to the hospital due to severe hematemesis that suggested a serious condition.

Examples

The doctor was concerned when she noticed the patient's hematemesis, indicating possible internal bleeding.
Ryan, a 2-year-old boy, is admitted to the intensive care unit (PICU) with hematemesis, diarrhea, and hypotension.

Academic text (2007)
If bleeding is heavy, hematemesis, hematochezia, or melena may occur.

Academic text (2005)
At approximately 12 hours postoperatively, she had an episode of massive epistaxis and hematemesis, and her hemoglobin level decreased to 7.9 grams.

Academic text (1995)
On the second postoperative day, the patient experienced severe hematemesis, which was controlled by lavage with iced saline through a nasogastric tube.

Academic text (2001)
Iron has a direct corrosive effect on the mucosa of the GI tract, leading to nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, melena, and hematemesis.

Academic text (2007)
The sudden onset of hematemesis alarmed the medical staff, as it usually points to underlying issues in the digestive system.

Surface Forms

hematemesis singular

hematemeses plural

Morphology

hematemesis = emesis (semi-transparent) = hemat + emesis

Formally analyzable as the combining form 'hemat-' (blood) + 'emesis' (vomiting), but both elements are medical/Greek-derived and may not be obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Hematemesis comes from the Greek parts hemato- meaning 'blood' and -emesis meaning 'vomiting'. So, hematemesis literally means 'vomiting blood', which is why doctors use it for when someone throws up blood from the stomach or throat.