A short list of terms and definitions related to your stoma.
Colon
The last part of the digestive system, also known as the large bowel or large intestine.
Colostomy
An operation that involves bringing a part of your colon to the surface of your abdomen to form the ostomy.
Colostomy pouch
An appliance connected to your ostomy that collects waste from the colon. The pouch can either be a one-piece or a two-piece system.
Filter
An opening in your pouch with a charcoal filter that subtracts odour from the gas, before it's let out from the pouch.
Ileum
The final part of the small intestine.
Ileostomy
An operation that involves bringing a part of your small bowel called the ileum to the surface of your abdomen to form the ostomy.
Ileostomy pouch
An appliance connected to your ostomy that collects waste from the ileum. The pouch can either be a one-piece or a two-piece system.
One-piece system
An all-in-one pouch sticks directly to your skin using an adhesive. The whole appliance is disposed of after use.
Ostomy
(see stoma)
Stoma
A stoma is a surgically created opening in the body that allows faeces or urine to pass from either the intestine or from the urinary tract. 'Ostomy' usually refers to the procedure itself of surgically creating a hole - the main types being 'colostomy', 'ileostomy' and 'urostomy'.
Two-piece system
A two-piece system consists of two components: A baseplate and a disposable pouch, which is attached to the baseplate using an adhesive or a mechanical coupling system.
Ureters and urethra
The ureters are the tubes through which the urine travels down from the kidneys to your bladder. The urine then passes out of your body through the urethra.
Urostomy
An operation that involves replacing the bladder function by diverting your urine to a section of the small intestine. The end of the intestine is then brought out through a small cut in the abdominal wall and stitched to the skin of the stomach, creating an opening (ostomy).
Urostomy pouch
An appliance connected to your ostomy that collects the urine. The pouch has a valve, which allows you to empty the urine easy and discretely. The pouch can either use a one-piece or a two-piece system.