What is the term for vomiting blood?

The term for vomiting blood is hematemesis. This term specifically refers to the expulsion of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, through vomiting. Hematemesis can indicate various medical conditions, including ulcers, liver disease, or other sources of gastrointestinal bleeding, making it a critical symptom that requires timely medical evaluation.

In contrast, other terms refer to different medical issues: hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from the respiratory tract, hemoglobinuria involves the presence of hemoglobin in urine, typically due to hemolysis, and ecchymosis describes a discoloration caused by bleeding underneath the skin. Understanding these distinctions is important in medical terminology and aids in accurately identifying and describing patient symptoms.