stoma

 
Pronunciation: /ˈstəʊmə/

noun (plural stomas or stomata /-mətə/)

  • 1 Botany any of the minute pores in the epidermis of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width which allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces. Also called stomate
  • Zoology a small mouth-like opening in some lower animals.
  • 2 Medicine an artificial opening made into a hollow organ, especially one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea.

Derivatives

stomal

adjective ( Medicine)

Origin:

late 17th century: modern Latin, from Greek stoma 'mouth'