Passive regurgitation refers to what phenomenon?

• A. Active vomiting due to obstruction
• B. Reflux of undigested material back into the mouth due to poor clearance or obstruction without active vomiting
• C. Normal digestion
• D. Vomiting with bile

Answer: (B)

Passive regurgitation is the passive backflow of undigested material into the mouth that happens without the act of active vomiting. It occurs when esophageal clearance is poor or there is an obstruction, so contents can move upward without the coordinated abdominal effort or retching seen in emesis. This distinguishes it from active vomiting, which involves deliberate, forceful expulsion and can include bile if duodenal contents are involved. Normal digestion isn’t regurgitation, and vomiting with bile is a feature of active vomiting rather than passive backflow.