Ostomy Glossary of Terms

The part of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. This may also be referred to as: “tummy”, “belly” or “stomach”.

The sticky layer on the back of the baseplate that helps it attach securely to the skin. It is usually made from a gentle material designed to protect the skin while keeping the bag in place. It may also be called a “wafer”, “flange”, “base plate” or “hydrocolloid”.

The natural exit where stool leaves the body.

(External): A term used to describe a stoma appliance worn over a stoma to collect urine or stool/output.

Occurs when a pouch that is being worn fills up with wind.

The part of a stoma bag system that sticks to the skin around the stoma. It provides a secure surface for the bag to attach to. In a one piece system the bag and baseplate are joined together. In a two piece system the bag can be removed while the baseplate stays on the skin. It may also be called a wafer or flange.

A disease where cells in the body grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Some cancers can spread to other parts of the body. 

A drug treatment for cancer.

Inflammation of the large bowel (colon).

The large bowel. It is the final part of the digestive system and helps to absorb water and form stool. 

Referring to the colon and the rectum.

An opening from the colon to the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for stool to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.

A birth defect or abnormality existing at or before birth.

Irregular and infrequent stool, usually accompanied by hard, dry stools which can be difficult to pass.

A baseplate with a gentle outward curve. It is often used when a stoma sits flush against the skin to help improve the seal.

An inflammatory bowel disease affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus.

Loose, watery stool.

A condition where small sacks or pouches form in the wall of the large bowel.

When the small pouches or sacks mentioned above become inflamed or infected.

A type of skin friendly material used to make the adhesive layer on the back of a baseplate.

The most common type of urostomy, where a small piece of bowel is used to create a new pathway for urine to leave the body. 

An opening from the small bowel or Ileum to the outside of the body.

The final and longest segment of the small bowel.

A broad term used to describe the three conditions, Crohn’s Disease (CD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP or Gardeners Syndrome).

A type of stoma where a loop of bowel is brought to the surface of the abdomen and opened to allow stool to pass into a bag. 

The area where the stoma joins the skin. 

When the join between the stoma and the surrounding skin begins to separate or break down. 

A specialist doctor who is trained in diagnosing and treating cancer.

A nurse who specialises in oncology and sees patients following a cancer diagnosis.

A person who has a stoma.

A surgically created opening.

Referring to the area around/behind/alongside the stoma. 

The area of skin immediately surrounding the stoma.

Lowest part of the large bowel ending in the anus (bottom).

Stoma is a Greek word meaning ‘opening’ or ‘mouth’. There are generally three types of stomas:

Colostomy: from the large bowel

Ileostomy: from the small bowel   

Urostomy: urinary stoma

A stoma can be temporary or permanent depending on the reason for surgery. In most cases, a urostomy is permanent, particularly if the bladder has been removed. 

A nurse trained in the care and support of people with ileostomies, colostomies and urostomies.

A disease that causes long-term inflammation of the lining of the large bowel.

A urinary stoma.