How to Describe the Formation of Stoma

Being able to describe medical problems, conditions, or symptoms is important in getting a correct diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes the description is of the symptom or problem alone is enough, but occasionally it also is important to describe a symptom or problem in terms of formation. This is the case with stomas.

Stoma Defined

• A stoma is an opening in the body. The opening forms a connection from the outside of the body to the inside of the body.

Natural vs. Man-made

• Some stomas are naturally occurring. They are part of the body's normal structure. Examples of natural stoma are the mouth, nose, ears, and rectum. Sometimes, however, stomas are created. This occurs most often in surgery. For example, people with permanent feeding tubes have to have a stoma created surgically that allows the tube to connect to the stomach. Any surgery that involves a stoma has "ostomy" at the end of the surgery name. Stomas also can be created accidentally through injuries.

Size

• Stomas can be described based on how large they measure. This is particularly useful in surgical procedures. For instance, the surgeon can be instructed to make an incision that is a specific number of millimeters long. Doctors also can take measurements of the stoma to see if it is worsening.

Time Frame

• Stomas can be formed very quickly or over a gradual period of time. Naturally occurring stomas tend to form slowly. Man-made stomas are formed very quickly, sometimes in a matter of seconds, as surgeons cut or trauma is inflicted.

Direction of Progression

• Some diseases may cause lesions (stoma openings) that form from the inside of the body outward. Other illnesses, such as that associated with a "flesh eating" bacteria, may have lesions that work inward. Surgically or trauma induced stoma almost always are created from the outside in.

Location

• Stoma can be described based on where they form on the body. The description may be general such as "a stoma is located on the head". They can also be very specific such as, "a mouth tends to be x millimeters from the top of the forehead and y millimeters from the bottom of the chin".

Importance of Description of Formation

• Knowing how a stoma has formed gives doctors an idea of what has caused the stoma to appear. Knowing this lets doctors form a plan of action about how to treat the patient.