stoma

[stoh-muh]

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.

stoma

/ 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

stoma

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.

Other Word Forms

• stomal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoma¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoma¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: mouth

Example Sentences

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

The stoma, a small hole in her abdomen, removes the waste from her body into the fitted bag, which Lucy has to regularly empty.

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

She has had 11 surgeries in total, including a hysterectomy and the removal of her colon, leaving her with an ileostomy stoma.

From BBC