tenesmus

American  

[tuh-nez-muhs, -nes-] / təˈnɛz məs, -ˈnɛs- /

noun

Pathology.

1. a straining to urinate or defecate, without the ability to do so.

---

tenesmus British  

/ -ˈnɛs-, tɪˈnɛzməs /

noun

1. pathol an ineffective painful straining to empty the bowels in response to the sensation of a desire to defecate, without producing a significant quantity of faeces

---

Other Word Forms

• tenesmic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tenesmus

1520–30; < Medieval Latin, variant of Latin tēnesmos < Greek teinesmós, equivalent to teín ( ein ) to stretch + -esmos noun suffix

Example Sentences

Stool.—Diarrhœa with dark mulberry-colored stools without pain or tenesmus, but with mucus.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Anshutz, Edward Pollock

A discharge of blood and mucus from the intestines attended with tenesmus.

From A Treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene (Revised Edition) by Cutter, Calvin

The symptoms are burning sensation in the mouth, throat, stomach, and abdomen, followed by vomiting, diarrhœa, with tenesmus and distension of the abdomen.

From Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Robertson, W. G. Aitchison (William George Aitchison )

It acts as an irritant to the digestive tract, causing dribbling of ropy saliva from the mouth, diarrhea, tenesmus, and loss of appetite, with increased temperature and cold extremities.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

In diarrhœa there is no fever or tenesmus, or pain before the stools, as in dysentery.

From A Treatise on Sheep: The Best Means for their Improvement, General Management, and the Treatment of their Diseases. by Blacklock, Ambrose