What is the opening where a colostomy bag is connected to the body called?

The opening where a colostomy bag is connected to the body is called a stoma. This term specifically refers to the surgically created opening on the abdomen that serves as an exit point for stool when the normal pathways of elimination are altered due to various medical conditions or surgeries.

A stoma allows for the collection of waste in a colostomy bag outside the body, enabling individuals to manage their bowel movements more effectively when they cannot use the rectum or anus. The stoma is typically red and moist, indicating good blood supply and health.

While the term "ostomy" is used to describe the surgical procedure that creates the stoma, and "incision" refers to a cut made during surgery, neither accurately identifies the actual opening. Likewise, a "wound site" generally indicates an area where tissue has been damaged, which does not apply to the healthy stoma created for waste elimination. Thus, stoma is the precise term that highlights the functional aspect of the opening created for patients with colostomies.