scatological

Scatological is an adjective describing matters related to feces or excrement. The term derives from the Greek skatos ("dung") and logia ("study" or "discourse"), and it is used in a range of scientific and cultural contexts.

In scientific contexts, fecal analysis is part of coprology, used to assess digestion, gut health, and microbiology; feces are analyzed for pathogens, parasites, and dietary remnants. In ecology and archaeology, scatology refers to the study of dung to infer animal behavior, diet, and environmental conditions.

In cultural terms, scatology denotes a preoccupation with excrement, often appearing in humor, satire, and literature to provoke reactions or challenge taboos. Some modern discussions also describe a sexual or fetishized interest in feces; this usage is specialized and not representative of scientific usage.

See also coprology and parasitology.