Definition

Noun: A medical condition characterized by a blockage in the intestines, particularly the ileum (the final section of the small intestine). This blockage prevents the normal passage of digestive contents, such as food, fluid, and gas, through the bowel.

Usage

This term is used specifically in medical and healthcare contexts to describe a serious physical condition. It is a formal, clinical term. - The patient was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and vomiting, symptoms of an intestinal obstruction. - Surgery is often required to relieve a complete intestinal obstruction.

Advanced Usage

• "to cause an intestinal obstruction": to be the reason for the blockage.
  • Swallowing a foreign object can cause an intestinal obstruction in children.
• "to diagnose an intestinal obstruction": to identify the condition through medical examination.
  • The CT scan was used to diagnose the intestinal obstruction.

Variants and Related Words

• Bowel obstruction (n): A more general term for a blockage in the small or large intestine. "Intestinal obstruction" is often used synonymously, though it can specifically imply a blockage in the small intestine.
• Ileus (n): A temporary disruption or paralysis of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract, which can also prevent passage of contents. It is a related but distinct condition from a mechanical blockage.
• Volvulus (n): A specific cause of intestinal obstruction where a loop of intestine twists around itself.
• Intussusception (n): A specific cause of intestinal obstruction where one segment of intestine telescopes into an adjacent segment.

Synonyms

• Bowel blockage
• Enteric obstruction (a more technical synonym)

Related Phrases

• "present with an obstruction": to show the symptoms of a blockage.
  • The patient presented with an obstruction and was taken for immediate surgery.
• "relieve the obstruction": to remove or bypass the blockage, often surgically.
  • The surgeon's goal was to relieve the obstruction and restore bowel function.

Noun

1. blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel