What term refers to the vomiting of blood?

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The term that refers to the vomiting of blood is hematemesis. This term is derived from the Greek roots where "hemato" means blood and "emesis" means vomiting. It specifically indicates the act of expelling blood through the mouth, often indicating a significant medical condition that requires immediate attention.

Hematochezia, on the other hand, relates to the presence of bright red blood in the stool, indicating bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from the respiratory tract, distinguishing it clearly from gastrointestinal bleeding. Melena involves black, tarry stools that result from the digestion of blood, typically from the upper gastrointestinal tract, but it does not involve vomiting. Hence, hematemesis is the correct term for blood that is vomited.

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