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Glite Dictionary
colostomy

colostomy

9 8.7
An operation that makes an opening from the colon to the belly to collect waste
  • noun
  • /kəˈlɑːstəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : colostomía
  • She had to adjust to life with a colostomy after her operation, but she learned to manage it effectively.
  • colostomy-forming surgery
  • colostomy-only patients

Examples

  • After the surgery, he explained what it means to have a colostomy and how it would change his daily routine.

  • I've read a little on the topic in case it came to this, and colostomies aren't nearly as nasty as you might think.

    Blog text (16)

  • I better go empty my colostomy bag.

    Intermission (2003)

  • In patient I, a colostomy had been constructed elsewhere.

    Academic text (1992)

  • My mom has had a colostomy and is therefore at increased risk of obstruction.

    Blog text (17)

  • No patient wanted to have a permanent colostomy, despite their severe incontinence.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The doctor discussed the possibility of a colostomy with the patient if their condition did not improve.

Synonyms

ostomy
vscolostomy
  • Specialized
1 9.8

An artificial opening in the body made during surgery that lets waste leave

is specific to openings made from the colon rather than any body opening
ileostomy
vscolostomy
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An opening that lets waste leave the body from the lower small intestine through the belly after colon removal

is formed from the colon rather than from the ileum
enterostomy
vscolostomy
  • Specialized
9.9

A permanent opening through the belly into the intestine for giving food or removing waste

is limited to openings made from the colon rather than any intestinal part

Surface Forms

colostomy singular
colostomies plural

Morphology

colostomy = ostomy (semi-transparent) = colo + stomy

For someone who knows 'ostomy', adding 'colo-' clearly specifies that the ostomy involves the colon.

Etymology

Colostomy comes from Greek roots: colo-, from kolon, meaning 'colon' or 'large intestine', and -stomy, from stoma, meaning 'mouth' or 'opening'. So, a colostomy is literally an 'opening of the colon', which is why it names the surgical opening in the belly that lets waste leave the body.