What condition is characterized by a blockage of the intestine?

The condition characterized by a blockage of the intestine is known as intestinal obstruction. This condition can occur due to various factors, including mechanical obstructions (such as tumors, adhesions, or hernias) and functional obstructions, where the intestine fails to function correctly due to nerve or muscle issues.

Intestinal obstruction can present with symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, distension, vomiting, and constipation. It requires prompt medical intervention to avoid complications like bowel ischemia or perforation.

While volvulus and intussusception are specific types of intestinal obstruction—where the intestine twists on itself or telescopes respectively—they are not broad enough to encompass all forms of blockade in the gastrointestinal tract. Peritonitis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory condition of the peritoneum and may result from or lead to intestinal obstruction, but it is not defined by the blockage itself.

Thus, intestinal obstruction serves as the most encompassing term related to any blockage within the intestines.