ostium
Americannoun
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Anatomy, Zoology. a small opening or orifice, as at the end of the oviduct.
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Zoology. one of the tiny holes in the body of a sponge.
noun
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any of the pores in sponges through which water enters the body
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any of the openings in the heart of an arthropod through which blood enters
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any similar opening
Etymology
Origin of ostium
First recorded in 1655–65, ostium is from the Latin word ōstium entrance, river mouth
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When in consequence of the sealing of the ostium the tube becomes distended with serous fluid it is termed hydrosalpinx.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various
Double doors admitted the visitor to the entrance-hall or ostium.
From The Story of Rome from the Earliest Times to the End of the Republic by Gilman, Arthur
Double doors admitted the visitor to the entrance-hall, or ostium.
From Stories of the Olden Time (Historical Series—Book IV Part I) by Various
A probe is then passed into the ostium, and the anterior wall of the sinus is removed with a curette or rongeur forceps.
From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander
Primis enim duabus noctibus, cum chori psallentium corpori assistabant, advenientes Dæmones ostium ecclesiæ confregerunt ingenti obice clausum, extremasque cathenas negotio levi dirumpunt: media autem quæ fortior erat, illibata manebat.
From Poems, 1799 by Southey, Robert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
