What is the term used to describe large, pale, foul smelling, greasy stools?

The term that describes large, pale, foul-smelling, greasy stools is steatorrhea. This condition occurs when there is an excessive amount of fat in the stool, often due to malabsorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. Steatorrhea can be indicative of various underlying health issues, such as pancreatic insufficiency, where the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes to break down fats properly. When fats are not adequately absorbed, they pass through the digestive system, resulting in the characteristics described – large, pale, and foul-smelling stools that have a greasy appearance.

The other terms provided do not relate to the specific presentation of stool characteristics associated with steatorrhea. Constipation refers to infrequent or difficult bowel movements and does not pertain to the greasy nature or appearance of the stool. Diarrhea is characterized by loose or watery stools and does not imply the presence of excess fat. Flatulence refers to gas in the digestive system and does not describe the stool itself. Thus, steatorrhea is the term that precisely captures the symptoms outlined in the question.