Introduction. The ascites is a pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which causes severe pathology and requires urgent involvement in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Aim of the study. To review the literature for determining the clinical and paraclinical picture of each cause of ascites. Materials and methods. The following research was carried out using PubMed (MEDLINE) database, by searching such medical keywords as "Ascites" and "Etiology". The paper was supplemented with references from various books and articles found at the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Nicolae Testemițanu Library. Results. We have reviewed 23 sources, of which 6 books and 17 articles. We have found that the pathophysiology of ascites is most often different. It may develop acutely and slowly, usually accompanied by edema of the lower limbs and scrotal edema. Given the common clinical condition of ascites, the diagnostic approach is based on the biological study of the abdominal fluid, in particular the protein concentration and the albumin gradient between serum and fluid. Conclusions. In most cases, ascites are caused by liver cirrhosis. It is possible to be present in other diseases, for example, it can be cancerous, tuberculous, cardiac, nephrotic, pancreatic or other origins.