stoma

American  

[stoh-muh] / ˈstoʊ mə /

noun

plural

stomata, stomas

1. Botany. Also any of various small apertures, especially one of the minute orifices or slits in the epidermis of leaves, stems, etc., through which gases are exchanged.

2. Zoology. a mouth or ingestive opening, especially when in the form of a small or simple aperture.

3. Medicine/Medical. an artificial opening between two hollow organs or between one hollow organ and the outside of the body, constructed to permit the passage of body fluids or waste products.

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stoma British  

/ ˈstəʊmə /

noun

1. botany an epidermal pore, present in large numbers in plant leaves, that controls the passage of gases into and out of a plant

2. zoology anatomy a mouth or mouthlike part

3. surgery an artificial opening made in a tubular organ, esp the colon or ileum See colostomy ileostomy

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stoma Scientific  

/ stō′mə /

plural

stomata

1. Botany One of the tiny openings in the epidermis of a plant, through which gases and water vapor pass. Stomata permit the absorption of carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis from the air, as well as the removal of excess oxygen. Stomata occur on all living plant parts that have contact with the air; they are especially abundant on leaves. A single leaf may have many thousands of stomata. Each stoma is generally between 10 to 30 microns in length and is surrounded by a pair of crescent-shaped cells, called guard cells. The guard cells can change shape and close the stoma in order to prevent the loss of water vapor.

2. Botany See Note at transpiration

3. Zoology A mouthlike opening, such as the oral cavity of a nematode.

4. Medicine A temporary or permanent opening in a body surface, especially the abdomen or throat, that is created by a surgical procedure, such as a colostomy or tracheostomy.

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Other Word Forms

• stomal adjective

Etymology

Origin of stoma

First recorded in 1675–85; from New Latin, from Greek stóma “mouth”

Example Sentences

Her illness had led to her pulling off her stoma bag that collects bodily waste from the abdomen.

From BBC

By February 2023 he underwent a second, major surgery to remove the tumour and his bladder, leaving him with two stoma bags, one linked to his bowel and one to his bladder.

From BBC

"But then as soon as I had my stoma bag, I was like, 'Oh, right well, let's make this work again.'"

From BBC

As his intestine was removed during surgery, he will now use a stoma to collect waste.

From BBC

Mrs Gibbs, who now has a permanent stoma bag, says she was traumatised by the experience.

From BBC