borborygmi

Borborygmi are the audible rumbling or gurgling noises produced by the movement of gas and liquid through the gastrointestinal tract as the intestines contract during peristalsis. The term borborygmi is derived from Greek roots meaning to rumble. The sounds are usually heard with the unaided ear and are most noticeable in quiet environments.

Physiology and patterns: Borborygmi result from the propulsion of gas, fluid, and chyme through the intestines as smooth muscle contractions mix contents. They are most often heard in the small and large intestines and can vary in intensity and pitch. They often occur when a person is hungry and may lessen after meals as activity and gas distribution change. Audible rumbling can also be influenced by swallowed air, posture, and the state of hydration.

Clinical significance: In healthy individuals, borborygmi are a normal phenomenon. They may become louder in the fasting state or with increased intestinal gas. However, certain clinical contexts call for evaluation: persistent or unusually loud sounds, abdominal pain, distension, vomiting, or absence of stool or gas passage may suggest conditions such as gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ileus, or mechanical bowel obstruction. In bowel obstruction, sounds can be initially hyperactive and high-pitched, later becoming faint or absent as the obstruction progresses.

Evaluation and management: Diagnosis is typically clinical, based on physical examination and auscultation of the abdomen. If obstruction or ileus is suspected, imaging (such as abdominal X-ray or CT) and laboratory tests may be indicated. Treatment targets any underlying condition. Normal borborygmi do not require intervention; persistent or concerning symptoms warrant medical evaluation.