cloaca

views updated May 29 2018

clo·a·ca / klōˈākə/ • n. (pl. -cae / -ˌkē; -ˌsē/ ) Zool. a common cavity at the end of the digestive tract for the release of both excretory and genital products in vertebrates (except most mammals) and certain invertebrates. Specifically, the cloaca is present in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes. ∎ archaic a sewer.DERIVATIVES: clo·a·cal adj.

cloaca

views updated Jun 11 2018

cloaca sewer XVIII; (anat.) excretory canal XIX. — L. cloāca, cluāca, earlier clovāca, rel. to cluere cleanse, f. IE. *klu- *kleu- *klou-, repr. also by OE. hlūt(t)or pure, Gr. klúzein wash, bathe.
So cloacal XVII.

cloaca

views updated May 11 2018

cloaca The cavity in the pelvic region into which the terminal parts of the alimentary canal and the urinogenital ducts open in most vertebrates. Placental mammals, however, have a separate anus and urinogenital opening.

cloaca

views updated May 14 2018

cloaca In most vertebrates, including Monotremata but excluding other mammals, terminal part of the gut into which the alimentary, urinary, and reproductive systems open, leading to a single aperture in the body.

cloaca

views updated Jun 08 2018

cloaca (kloh-ay-kă) n. the most posterior part of the embryonic hindgut. It becomes divided into the rectum and the urinogenital sinus.

cloaca

views updated Jun 11 2018

cloaca Cavity into which intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts open in fish, reptiles, birds and some primitive mammals.