cloaca
cloaca
Definition
cloa·ca (klō ā′kə)
noun pl. cloacae -·cae′ (-sē′, -kē′) or cloacas -·cas
- a sewer or cesspool
- Zool.
- the cavity into which both the intestinal and the genitourinary tracts empty in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes
- in some invertebrates, a similar cavity serving as an excretory, respiratory, and reproductive duct
Etymology: L < cluere, to cleanse < IE base *lū-, to rinse, clean > Gr klyzein, to wash, Ger lauter, pure
cloaca
Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
- large: The male can be distinguished from the female by his larger throat spots and large swollen cloaca ( reproductive opening ).
Browse dictionary entries near cloaca
- CLNP
- CLN
- clk
- clivia
- Clive
- clitorises
- clitoris
- clitorides
- clitoridectomy
- clitoridectomies
