Stomata are openings that connect the inside of the body to the outside world, and can be natural or artificially created. They play various roles in the body, but also pose risks of infection. Stoma ports are a form of ostomy used for medical purposes. Trepanation is an ancient form of ostomy.
A stoma is an opening in the body that connects the inside of the body to the outside world. Stomata can be natural or artificially created and play a variety of roles in the body. The term “stoma” refers more generally also in biology to the openings; plants, for example, absorb nutrients through stomata in leaves and stems.
The mouth is a well-known example of a natural stoma, as are the ears, nostrils and anus. In some cases, it is necessary to create an artificial stoma, in which case the suffix “-stoma” is attached to the description of the medical procedure to indicate that a stoma has been created. A colostomy is probably the most common form of surgery that requires the creation of a stoma, and involves bypassing part of the large intestine and creating a new artificial opening to accommodate bodily waste.
Stoma ports are also, as the name suggests, a form of ostomy. Ports can be placed in patients where regular access to a specific area of the body is required; a port can house a feeding tube, for example, or open access to a vein for medication. These semi-permanent medical devices are less prone to infection than more temporary means and may be more comfortable for the patient in the long term.
Stomata have been created for thousands of years and may be among the oldest surgical treatments. Trepanation, the practice of piercing the skull to relieve pressure, is a type of ostomy, and archaeological evidence reveals that people have been drilling each other for a long time. Early trepanation operations may have been performed with a mystical, rather than a medical, intent; many trepanned skulls were clearly those of shamans and other religious figures.
Since stomata connect the inside of the body with the outside world, they pose certain risks to the body, in addition to helping it eat, feel, smell and evacuate waste. Each opening represents a potential line of entry for harmful organisms, and some stomata are lined with delicate mucous membranes, making them even more prone to infection. Both natural and artificial stomata can become infected if not properly cared for; children usually learn hygiene at a young age to take care of the stomas they were born with, while people who get a stoma through surgery usually receive detailed care instructions.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
