Bleeding into the joint cavity is called what?

• A. Hemoptysis
• B. Hematemesis
• C. Hemarthrosis
• D. Hematuria

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is the medical term for blood that collects inside a joint space. That condition is called hemarthrosis. It happens when a bleed occurs within the joint’s cavity, often after an injury or in people with bleeding disorders like hemophilia. Hemarthrosis is different from other types of bleeding in the body: coughing up blood from the lungs is called hemoptysis; vomiting blood is hematemesis; and blood in the urine is hematuria.

Clinically, hemarthrosis presents with joint swelling, warmth, tenderness, and reduced movement due to irritation of the joint structures. Treatment aims to control the bleed and protect the joint, using methods such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, and addressing the underlying cause or coagulopathy as needed.