What does hematemesis mean?
Hematemesis is the medical term for vomiting blood and is commonly encountered in reports of gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly bleeding involving the upper gastrointestinal tract. The blood may appear bright red or have the dark, coffee-ground appearance associated with partial digestion, though its appearance does not reliably identify the source or extent of bleeding. Hematemesis is a significant clinical sign rather than a diagnosis in itself, and its presence requires urgent medical evaluation. The word is especially useful in medicine because it names the phenomenon precisely and distinguishes vomiting blood from blood coughed up from the lungs or passed in the stool. It also reflects the word’s Greek foundations: haima refers to blood, while emesis refers to vomiting. In everyday conversation, a person would normally say that someone is vomiting blood, but hematemesis is the precise term used by clinicians and medical writers.
nounHematemesis is the medical term for vomiting blood. It is a clinical sign that may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, although the blood can sometimes originate elsewhere.
- The vomiting of blood, usually as a sign of bleeding somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
"The patient presented with hematemesis and was admitted for urgent evaluation."
"The emergency team treated the patient for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding after he developed hematemesis."
"The report described coffee-ground material consistent with hematemesis."
The plural hematemeses is used when referring to multiple occurrences of vomiting blood.
"The chart documented several episodes of hematemeses over the preceding week."
Hematemesis is a life-threatening alarm bell: its name literally means “blood vomiting” and can point to serious internal bleeding.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hematemesis come from?
Hematemesis is a New Latin formation based on Greek haima, meaning “blood,” and emesis, meaning “vomiting.” The word belongs to the same Greek and medical vocabulary that produced terms such as hematology and hemolysis. It became established in English medical usage during the nineteenth century and remains a standard clinical term today.
How hematemesis is actually used
This is a formal medical term used in clinical reports, diagnoses, and emergency care. It should not be used as a casual synonym for seeing red in vomit, and its occurrence requires prompt medical assessment.
Easily confused with hematemesis
Hematemesis is vomiting blood, whereas hemoptysis is coughing or expectorating blood from the respiratory tract.
Hematemesis is the presence of blood in vomit, whereas hematochezia is the presence of blood in stool.