What is defined as the semisolid mass of waste products that is expelled through the anus?

The semisolid mass of waste products expelled through the anus is known as feces. Feces consists primarily of water, undigested food, bacteria, and various waste materials from the body, representing the final product of digestion and the absorption process that takes place in the intestines. It is primarily formed in the colon and is expelled during the process of defecation.

Understanding the composition and function of feces is crucial in many areas of health, particularly in assessing digestive health and diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders. Feces can provide important information about an individual's diet and health status.

In the context of the other options, urine refers to liquid waste that is expelled through the urinary tract, sweat is a fluid excreted by sweat glands as a means of thermoregulation, and flatus is the gas expelled from the digestive system, often referred to as intestinal gas. Each of these serves a distinct physiological purpose, distinguishing them clearly from feces, which specifically relates to solid waste elimination.