steatorrhea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “steatorrhea” mean?
A medical condition characterized by the excessive amount of fat in the feces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by the excessive amount of fat in the feces.
A symptom of malabsorption where the digestive system fails to properly absorb fats, often associated with pancreatic, liver, or intestinal diseases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference is spelling: British English uses 'steatorrhoea', while American English uses 'steatorrhea'. Pronunciation of the vowel in the first syllable may also differ slightly.
Connotations
No difference in connotation; purely clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used exclusively in medical professions and literature.
Grammar
How to Use “steatorrhea” in a Sentence
[Patient/Subject] presents with steatorrhea due to [cause].Steatorrhea is a feature/indicator/sign of [disease].To diagnose/investigate steatorrhea.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “steatorrhea” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The steatorrhoeic stool was oily and foul-smelling.
- He had a steatorrhoeic episode.
American English
- The steatorrheic stool was oily and foul-smelling.
- He had a steatorrheic episode.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological research papers, textbooks, and clinical studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used by a patient recounting a specific medical diagnosis.
Technical
Standard term in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and pathology reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “steatorrhea”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steatorrhea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steatorrhea”
- Misspelling: 'steatorrea', 'stetorrhea'.
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (STE-a-toe-ree-uh) instead of the third (ste-a-to-REE-uh).
- Using interchangeably with 'diarrhea'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Diarrhea refers to frequent, loose, or watery stools. Steatorrhea specifically means stools contain excessive fat, which may or may not be frequent or watery, but are typically greasy, foul-smelling, and difficult to flush.
Common causes include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis), celiac disease, Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine, biliary obstruction, and certain bacterial overgrowths.
It is often suspected from patient history and stool appearance, but confirmed by laboratory tests such as a quantitative fecal fat test (measuring fat excretion over 72 hours) or a qualitative Sudan stain of a stool sample.
Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause (e.g., pancreatic enzyme replacement for pancreatic insufficiency, a gluten-free diet for celiac disease). If the cause is treatable, the steatorrhea can resolve.
A medical condition characterized by the excessive amount of fat in the feces.
Steatorrhea is usually technical/medical in register.
Steatorrhea: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstiː.ə.təˈriː.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsti.ə.t̬əˈriː.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
STEAT (think 'steak' or 'fat') + ORRHEA (like 'diarrhea', a flow) = a flow of fat in stool.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY AS A LEAKY PIPELINE (where nutrients, specifically fats, are not retained but 'leak' out).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of steatorrhea?