Hematochezia (or haematochezia; also hemochezia or haemochezia) (from Greek αἷμα ("blood") and χέζειν ("to defecate")) is the passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools (contrast with melena). Hematochezia is commonly associated with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, but may also occur from a brisk upper GI bleed. The difference between hematochezia and rectorrhagia is that the latter rectal bleeding is not associated with defecation, Instead, it is associated with expulsion of fresh red bright blood without stools.