Final answer:
Lower GI bleeding refers to bleeding from the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine, colon, rectum, or anus. Causes can range from ulcerative colitis to intestinal cancers, which may result in blood loss anemias.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding is sometimes referred to as lower GI bleeding or hematochezia. This condition involves bleeding that occurs from the small intestine, colon, rectum, or anus. Potential causes for lower GI bleeding include ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, and intestinal cancers among others. Blood loss anemias can occur as a result of chronic or acute blood loss from these sites.
The lower GI tract is part of the GI tract that includes the small and large intestines, where various nutrients are absorbed and waste is prepared for excretion. Disorders within this region can lead to a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool, which can indicate inflammation or damage to the tissues lining the GI tract.
Some other related terms and vascular structures associated with the GI tract include superior mesenteric, gastro-omental, pancreaticoduodenal, middle colic, right colic, ileocolic, and intestinal arteries, which supply blood to the various parts of the GI tract.