cloaca
[ kloh-ey-kuh ]
/ kloʊˈeɪ kə /
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noun, plural clo·a·cae [kloh-ey-see]. /kloʊˈeɪ si/.
Zoology.
- the common cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals open in birds, reptiles, amphibians, many fishes, and certain mammals.
- a similar cavity in invertebrates.
a sewer, especially an ancient sewer.
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Origin of cloaca
1650–60; <Latin clo(u)āca, cluāca sewer, drain; probably akin to Greek klýzein to wash, wash away
OTHER WORDS FROM cloaca
clo·a·cal, adjectivepre·clo·a·cal, adjectiveWords nearby cloaca
clivus, clk., CLL, Cllr, clo., cloaca, cloacal membrane, cloacal plate, cloacitis, cloak, cloak-and-dagger
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cloaca
British Dictionary definitions for cloaca
cloaca
/ (kləʊˈeɪkə) /
noun plural -cae (-kiː)
a cavity in the pelvic region of most vertebrates, except higher mammals, and certain invertebrates, into which the alimentary canal and the genital and urinary ducts open
a sewer
Derived forms of cloaca
cloacal, adjectiveWord Origin for cloaca
C18: from Latin: sewer; related to Greek kluzein to wash out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for cloaca
cloaca
[ klō-ā′kə ]
n.
In early embryos, the entodermally lined chamber into which the hindgut and allantois empty.
The common cavity into which the intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts open in vertebrates such as fish, reptiles, birds, and some mammals.
An opening in a diseased bone containing a fragment of dead bone.
Other words from cloaca
clo•a′cal (-kəl) adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for cloaca
cloaca
[ klō-ā′kə ]
Plural cloacae (klō-ā′sē′)
The body cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital canals empty in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes. The cloaca has an opening for expelling its contents from the body, and in females it serves as the depository for sperm. Also called vent
See vent.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.