What characterizes excessively fatty stools?

Excessively fatty stools, also known as steatorrhea, are characterized by being large, pale, foul-smelling, and greasy. This occurs due to an abnormal amount of fat in the stool, which can be a result of malabsorption syndromes where the body is unable to absorb fats and oils properly from the diet.

The large size of the stools is a direct result of the undigested fats, making them bulkier. The pale color indicates a lack of bile, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fats, and any foul smell points towards the presence of fatty acids that are not absorbed effectively. The greasy appearance is due to the high fat content, which does not get broken down and integrated into the body as it should.

Other characteristics, such as being soft, dark, or thin, do not typically align with the presentation of steatorrhea and may suggest different conditions or issues unrelated to fat malabsorption. Therefore, the comprehensive description of fat-laden stools is best encapsulated by being large, pale, foul-smelling, and greasy.