What is biliary colic characterized by?

Biliary colic is characterized by intermittent pain due to gallbladder obstruction. This condition occurs when a gallstone temporarily blocks the cystic duct, causing a build-up of pressure within the gallbladder. As a result, the patient experiences sudden, intense episodes of pain, typically in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. This pain can come in waves, subsiding and then reappearing, which is a hallmark of the intermittent nature associated with biliary colic.

The other options do not accurately describe biliary colic; instead, they highlight different types or characteristics of pain. For instance, constant sharp pain suggests a different pathological process or condition, while chronic abdominal discomfort indicates a different long-term issue. Radiating pain from the liver is also not characteristic of biliary colic but rather may pertain to other conditions. Thus, the correct understanding of biliary colic centers around its intermittent nature linked to gallbladder obstruction.