The slowing or stoppage of movement through the small intestine, often causing constipation or intestinal blockage.
From Greek 'enteron' (intestine) + 'stasis' (standing still, cessation). The term emerged in medical language in the 19th century to describe pathological conditions affecting intestinal motility.
This word reveals how Greek medical terminology breaks down diseases into their physical mechanisms—literally 'intestines standing still'—which is exactly how ancient doctors tried to understand ailments before modern imaging.
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