No, melena is a symptom, not a disease. It is a sign of bleeding, usually from the upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine).

What is the difference between melena and hematochezia?

Melena refers to black, tarry stools resulting from digested blood, usually from a higher (upper) source. Hematochezia refers to the passage of fresh, bright red or maroon blood from the rectum, usually indicating a lower GI source (like the colon or hemorrhoids).

Can you have melena without pain?

Yes. The bleeding that causes melena is not always painful. A painless, significant GI bleed is a serious medical concern and requires immediate attention.

What common substances can cause stools to look black but are not melena?

Iron supplements, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), licorice, and blueberries can darken stools. True melena has a distinct, foul odour and tarry consistency that distinguishes it from simply dark-coloured stool.

melena

C2 - Technical/Medical

UK/məˈliːnə/US/məˈlinə/

Formal, Technical, Medical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The passage of black, tarry, foul-smelling stools containing digested blood, typically indicating bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

In veterinary medicine, the term is also used to describe black, tarry feces in animals, often a sign of internal bleeding. In a historical/literary context, it can be used metaphorically to describe something dark, foul, or ominous.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

A highly specific medical term. Not to be confused with 'melanin' (pigment) or 'melody'. The condition itself is a symptom, not a disease.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in medical usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Purely clinical and diagnostic in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely rare outside medical and veterinary contexts in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

frank melenasuspected melenamelena presentmelena and hematemesis

medium

history of melenacomplaining of melenapatient with melena

weak

severe melenatreated for melenainvestigation for melena

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The patient presented with melena.Melena is indicative of upper GI bleeding.The vet observed melena in the dog.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

black tarry stoolsmelaena (alternative spelling)

Weak

GI bleed (as a cause, not synonym)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

hematochezia (passage of fresh red blood in stool, indicating lower GI bleeding)normal stool

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in medical, veterinary, and biological research papers.

Everyday

Extremely uncommon. Would only be used by a patient describing a diagnosed symptom.

Technical

Core term in clinical notes, diagnoses, and medical/veterinary textbooks.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The doctor was concerned because the patient reported having melena for two days.

While melena typically signifies a bleed proximal to the ligament of Treitz, it must be distinguished from pseudo-melena caused by certain medications or foods.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'MELena' = 'MELean' sounds like 'Meal in a'... a bad meal leading to black, tarry stools.

Conceptual Metaphor

A VISIBLE SIGN OF HIDDEN DANGER (internal bleeding). DARKNESS AS A PORTENT OF ILLNESS.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with 'мелена' (a rare, directly borrowed medical term) and more common words like 'меланхолия' (melancholy) or 'меланин' (melanin).

Common Mistakes

Misspelling as 'malena' or 'melina'.
Using it to describe any dark stool, rather than the specific tarry, foul-smelling quality.
Pronouncing the first 'e' as in 'melee' (/ˈmɛleɪnə/) instead of the schwa (/mə/).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The presence of , along with a drop in haemoglobin, necessitated an urgent endoscopy.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes melena?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, melena is a symptom, not a disease. It is a sign of bleeding, usually from the upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine).
: Melena refers to black, tarry stools resulting from digested blood, usually from a higher (upper) source. Hematochezia refers to the passage of fresh, bright red or maroon blood from the rectum, usually indicating a lower GI source (like the colon or hemorrhoids).
: Yes. The bleeding that causes melena is not always painful. A painless, significant GI bleed is a serious medical concern and requires immediate attention.
: Iron supplements, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), licorice, and blueberries can darken stools. True melena has a distinct, foul odour and tarry consistency that distinguishes it from simply dark-coloured stool.