Glossary
Colon
The last part of the digestive system, also known as the large bowel or large intestine.
Read more about the digestive system
Colostomy
An operation that involves bringing a part of your colon to the surface of your abdomen to form the ostomy/stoma.
Colostomy pouch
A pouch that is worn over your ostomy that collects stool 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 absorbs odor from the gas, before it is released from the pouch.
Ileum
The last section of the small intestine.
Read more about the digestive system
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.
Further reading
Ileostomy pouch
A pouch that is worn over your ostomy that collects stool from the ileum. The pouch can either be a one-piece or a two-piece system.
One-piece system
The barrier and pouch are one unit and do not come apart. The entire appliance is disposed of after use.
Ostomy
An ostomy (stoma) is a surgically created opening in the body that allows feces or urine either from the intestine or from the urinary tract to pass. There are three types of ostomies: Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy.
Stoma
See Ostomy
Two-piece system
A two-piece system consists of two components: A barrier and a disposable pouch, which is attached to the barrier using an adhesive or a mechanical coupling system.
Ureters and urine
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.
Read more about the urinary system
Urostomy
A surgery that involves removing the bladder and diverting urine to a section of the small intestine using the ureters. 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 allowing urine to flow.
Further reading
Urostomy pouch
An appliance connected to ostomy that collects the urine. The pouch has an outlet, which allows you to empty the urine easy and discretely. The pouch can either use a one-piece or a two-piece system.