Stoma

[stәumә]

Definition

(noun.) a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an internal organ).

(noun.) a minute epidermal pore in a leaf or stem through which gases and water vapor can pass.

Typed by Duane--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) One of the minute apertures between the cells in many serous membranes.

(n.) The minute breathing pores of leaves or other organs opening into the intercellular spaces, and usually bordered by two contractile cells.

(n.) The line of dehiscence of the sporangium of a fern. It is usually marked by two transversely elongated cells. See Illust. of Sporangium.

(n.) A stigma. See Stigma, n., 6 (a) & (b).

Inputed by Augustine

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [Gr. pl. Stomata.] [1]. Pore (in plants).[2]. Breathing-hole (in articulate animals).

Inputed by Katherine

Definition

n. (bot.) one of the minute openings in the epidermis of leaves and tender green stems of plants subserving the purpose of respiration: (zool.) one of the breathing-holes in the bodies of certain of the articulata:—pl. Stō′mata.—adjs. Stomat′ic; Stomatif′erous.—n. Stomatī′tis inflammation of the interior of the mouth.—adj. Stō′matode having a stoma.—ns. Stomatol′ogy the scientific knowledge of the mouth; Stō′matoscope an instrument for examining the interior of the mouth.

Editor: Vito