When the pancreas loses its exocrine function (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI), the production of lipase—the enzyme responsible for digesting fats—drops drastically. The direct result is lipid malabsorption, which manifests clinically as steatorrhea.
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Digestive disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease
Cancer
Health
Steatorrheic stools have unmistakable characteristics:
•They are voluminous, pale, or clay-colored.
•They have a greasy or oily consistency, which makes them float in the toilet.
•They emit an unusually fetid and penetrating odor.
| Feature | Normal stools | Stools with steatorrhea (Pancreatic failure) |
| Color | Brown (presence of stercobilin) | Pale, clay-colored, or yellowish |
| Consistency | Once formed, it sinks into the water | Greasy, foamy, floats on water |
| Smell | Unpleasant but standard | Extremely foul-smelling and rancid |
| Frequency | 1-2 times a day | Chronic diarrhea, multiple bowel movements |
This signal indicates that the body is expelling vital nutrients instead of absorbing them, which quickly leads to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
Anatomy
