Noun: stoma (stomata,stomas) stow-mu
- A minute epidermal pore in a leaf or stem through which gases and water vapour can pass
"stomata open and close to regulate gas exchange and water loss";
- stomate, pore
- (surgery) a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an internal organ)
"The patient had a colostomy stoma to allow waste to exit the body"
Derived forms: stomas, stomata
Type of: aperture, opening, orifice, porta
Part of: colostomy, tracheostomy, tracheotomy
Encyclopedia: Stoma