Glossary term
Ostomy
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
A surgically created opening (stoma) connecting an internal organ to the outside of the body, most commonly colostomy (colon to abdominal wall), ileostomy (ileum to abdominal wall), or urostomy (urinary tract to abdominal wall). May be temporary or permanent. Patients with new ostomies require stoma-nurse education on appliance management, skin care, dietary adjustment, and complication recognition.