Gas expelled from the anus is called what?

Gas expelled from the anus is called what?

• A. Digestion
• B. Emesis
• C. Flatulence
• D. Peristalsis

Answer: (C)

Gas expelled from the rectum is called flatulence. Flatulence refers to the release of intestinal gas through the anus. This gas comes from swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon, and its composition is mainly nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and sometimes methane, with small amounts of sulfur-containing compounds that can give an odor. Digestion is the process of breaking down food. Emesis is vomiting—expelling stomach contents through the mouth. Peristalsis is the wave-like muscular contractions that move contents through the digestive tract. So flatulence specifically describes the act of passing gas, not the process of digestion, vomiting, or the movement of contents.

Gas expelled from the rectum is called flatulence. Flatulence refers to the release of intestinal gas through the anus. This gas comes from swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon, and its composition is mainly nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and sometimes methane, with small amounts of sulfur-containing compounds that can give an odor.

Digestion is the process of breaking down food. Emesis is vomiting—expelling stomach contents through the mouth. Peristalsis is the wave-like muscular contractions that move contents through the digestive tract. So flatulence specifically describes the act of passing gas, not the process of digestion, vomiting, or the movement of contents.