meatus

[ mee-ey-tuhs ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural me·a·tus·es, me·a·tus.

1. an opening or foramen, especially in a bone or bony structure, as the opening of the ear or nose.

meatus

/ mɪˈeɪtəs /

noun

1. anatomy a natural opening or channel, such as the canal leading from the outer ear to the eardrum

Other Words From

• me·atal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meatus¹

1655–65; < Latin meātus course, channel, equivalent to meā ( re ) to go, extend, have a course + -tus suffix of v. action

Word History and Origins

Origin of meatus¹

C17: from Latin: passage, from meāre to pass

Example Sentences

He refused to accept Huschke's derivation of the auditory meatus from the first gill-slit.

From Project Gutenberg

This is repeated with fresh pledgets until the meatus is cleansed.

From Project Gutenberg

They are comparatively rare in women, in consequence of the shortness of the urethra and the size of their meatus.

From Project Gutenberg

The great cavity is the bulla tympani or bulb of the ear; a m is the auditory meatus or external hole of the ear.

From Project Gutenberg

The external auditory meatus (ear) is a small inconspicuous opening located just below and behind the eye.

From Project Gutenberg