Which condition refers to the inability to control bowel movements?

The condition that refers to the inability to control bowel movements is incontinence. This term specifically describes a situation where an individual cannot hold in bowel (or urinary) functions, leading to unintentional leakage. Incontinence can be caused by various factors, including muscle weakness, nerve damage, or certain medical conditions.

Diarrhea refers to frequent and loose bowel movements but does not inherently involve a loss of control; it is primarily characterized by the consistency and frequency of the stool. Constipation, on the other hand, is when a person has infrequent or difficult bowel movements and typically does not relate to the inability to control bowel elimination. Elimination is a general term used in the context of the expulsion of waste from the body, and it does not specifically address control issues or incontinence. Hence, incontinence is the accurate term for the inability to regulate bowel movements.