What does stoma mean?
A stoma is an opening, especially one in the surface of a plant or animal. In plants, stomata are microscopic pores, most commonly found in leaves; they allow carbon dioxide to enter for photosynthesis and allow water vapour and oxygen to leave. Their opening and closing are regulated by guard cells, helping plants balance gas exchange with water conservation. The word is also used in anatomy for natural openings, particularly in the digestive tract, and in medicine for an opening surgically created in the abdomen. A surgical stoma may allow intestinal waste to leave the body or provide access for feeding or medical treatment. Although stoma can refer to a natural opening, stomata is especially associated with the tiny, adjustable pores of plants, while stomas is less usual.
nounAn opening in a plant, animal, or human body, especially an opening in the surface of a leaf or the wall of the stomach or intestine. In medicine, the term can also refer to a surgically created opening connecting an internal organ to the body surface or to the digestive tract.
- A small opening or pore in the surface of a plant, especially a leaf.
- An opening in an animal's body, such as the mouth of an animal or the opening of the stomach or intestine.
- A surgically created opening in the abdomen through which waste passes, or through which an internal organ or feeding tube is connected.
"The leaf's stomata opened as the surrounding air became more humid."
"Guard cells around the stomata help the plant control how much water it loses."
"Following surgery, a colostomy stoma provided an opening for waste to leave the body."
Stomata is the standard plural for the small pores in plants and is also used for anatomical or surgical openings.
"The stomata remained closed throughout the hottest part of the day."
Every plant leaf is a landscape of doors: its stomata open to admit carbon dioxide and release water vapour, while also helping to regulate temperature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stoma come from?
The word comes from Greek stoma, meaning “mouth” or “opening.” It entered English through scientific usage, initially in botanical and anatomical contexts. Greek words such as stomach, stomatitis, and stomatology share the same root or its developed forms. In medicine, the sense of a surgically created abdominal opening developed from the general meaning of an opening or mouth.
How stoma is actually used
In botany, the plural is normally stomata. In medical usage, stoma is used for an opening created by surgery, and the sense may refer either to the opening in the abdominal wall or to the bowel segment connected to it. The term is more technical than general terms such as opening or orifice.
Easily confused with stoma
A stoma is an opening, whereas the stomach is the digestive organ that contains the stomach's opening at either end.
Stoma is the singular form; stomata is the usual plural, especially for the tiny pores in plant leaves.