MALENA: Melena is the medical term for black, tarry stools caused by the presence of digested blood. It typically indicates bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as the: Stomach Duodenum Melanosis Coli Image MEDtube.net Dark stool vs black stool the difference can be serious. Dark brown stool is often food or iron related. Black, tarry stool may indicate internal bleeding and needs urgent medical attention. Melaena Causes Diagnoses Management TeachMeSurgery Why Black Dark Brown Tarry Stool Appears After Wearing Hair Nets And How This One Product Changed My Experience