stoma
noun
sto·ma ˈstō-mə 
plural stomata ˈstō-mə-tə also stomas
also stomas 1
: any of various small simple bodily openings especially in a lower animal
2
: one of the minute openings in the epidermis of a plant organ (such as a leaf) through which gaseous interchange takes place
also : the opening with its associated cellular structures
3
: an artificial permanent opening especially in the abdominal wall made in surgical procedures
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Brayden's colon removal left him with a stoma, or an opening in the abdomen that allows waste or urine to leave the body. 
NBC News, 13 Jan. 2022 Surgeons create an opening called a stoma in the abdomen, and an external pouch does the waste collection. Rebecca Joy Stanborough, SELF, 7 Jan. 2022 During the ostomy surgery, doctors created an opening, referred to as a stoma, on the right side of her abdomen. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 The stoma was covered by a containment device for the urine, known as a pouch. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 One of her patients was sent home with an open stomach wound, another with a stoma bag. NBC News, 30 May 2020 As Swann notes, the gas exchange from each stoma — and indeed from each leaf — is, on its own, tiny. Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2018 In layman’s terms, stomata are tiny openings on leaves’ surfaces that let in CO2 but expel oxygen and water. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 6 Aug. 2019 Other stomas can be located on the abdomen for waste removal. Stephanie Innes, azcentral, 17 June 2019 See More
NBC News, 13 Jan. 2022 Surgeons create an opening called a stoma in the abdomen, and an external pouch does the waste collection. Rebecca Joy Stanborough, SELF, 7 Jan. 2022 During the ostomy surgery, doctors created an opening, referred to as a stoma, on the right side of her abdomen. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 The stoma was covered by a containment device for the urine, known as a pouch. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 One of her patients was sent home with an open stomach wound, another with a stoma bag. NBC News, 30 May 2020 As Swann notes, the gas exchange from each stoma — and indeed from each leaf — is, on its own, tiny. Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2018 In layman’s terms, stomata are tiny openings on leaves’ surfaces that let in CO2 but expel oxygen and water. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 6 Aug. 2019 Other stomas can be located on the abdomen for waste removal. Stephanie Innes, azcentral, 17 June 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek stomat-, stoma mouth
First Known Use
circa 1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
stoma
noun
sto·ma ˈstō-mə
plural stomas
1
: any of various small simple bodily openings especially in a lower animal
2
: an artificial permanent opening especially in the abdominal wall made in surgical procedures
a colostomy stoma