What does STOMA mean?

Stoma

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: An opening or pore, especially in a plant or animal, through which gases, liquids, or microscopic particles can pass.

Pronunciation (US): /ˈstoʊmə/

Pronunciation (UK): /ˈstəʊmə/

Origin and Usage: The word stoma comes from the Greek word "stomatos," which means "mouth." It was first used in the 19th century, specifically in the field of botany, to describe the tiny openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange. Since then, the term has also been used in the medical field to refer to an artificial opening created in the body for the purpose of eliminating waste or allowing for breathing.

Synonyms: Pore, opening, orifice, aperture

Related Words: Plant, cells, pores, holes, trachea

Example Sentences:

• Plants breathe through tiny stomata on their leaves.
• After his surgery, he had to learn how to care for his stoma.
• The microscope revealed the presence of a stoma on the surface of the leaf.
• The stoma on the skin of the leaf allows for the exchange of gases.
• The doctor used a surgical instrument to create a stoma in the patients throat.