Word parts
What it means
The visible opening of an ostomy (see -ostomyOS-tuh-meeA word ending that means a surgically made opening, usually to the outside of the body.Full entry ). In a colostomy or ileostomy, the end of the bowel is brought through the abdominal wall, and stool passes into a pouch worn over it. A tracheostomy stoma is an opening in the neck into the tracheaTRAY-kee-uhThe windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs.Full entry . A stoma has no nerve endings, so touching it does not hurt, but it bleeds easily.
For the nurse
A healthy stoma is moist and pink to red. Report one that is pale, dusky, purple or black, dry or badly swollen. Protect the skin around it and size the pouch opening to fit the stoma.
At a glance
| Spanish | estoma |
|---|---|
| Also written | stomas |