What is a colostomy?

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening from the colon (large intestine) to the outside of the abdomen. This opening, known as a stoma, allows for the discharge of waste when the normal pathway for stool elimination is disrupted due to conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or bowel obstruction.

The term "colostomy" is derived from "colon" and "stoma," emphasizing that the procedure specifically relates to the colon and its connection to the external environment. This type of surgery is often performed when part of the colon needs to be bypassed or removed, providing a new route for waste elimination.

The other options refer to various types of surgical openings in different parts of the body: an ileostomy involves the ileum (the last part of the small intestine), a urostomy would involve an opening into the bladder for urine, and another type of stoma might involve the small intestine in a more general sense, but only the colostomy specifically pertains to the colon. Thus, identifying colostomy correctly highlights its distinct function and placement within the gastrointestinal system.