borborygmi (abnormal bowel sounds)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Borborygmus is an abdominal gurgling sound attributable to the passage of fluid and gas within the intestines. It is enhanced when gastrointestinal motility is increased, e.g. in obstructive conditions and in irritable bowel syndrome, and when excessive flatus is present.
Classically, borborygmi begin at a low pitch and get louder and of increasing pitch over approximately 30 seconds.
The plural of borborygmus is borborygmi.