cloaca

noun clo·a·ca \klō-ˈā-kə\

plural clo·a·cae\-ˌkē, -ˌsē\

Definition of CLOACA

: ³sewer

[New Latin, from Latin] : the common chamber into which the intestinal and urogenital tracts discharge especially in monotreme mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and elasmobranch fishes; also : a comparable chamber of an invertebrate

: cesspool 2

— clo·a·cal \-ˈā-kəl\ adjective

See cloaca defined for kids

Origin of CLOACA

Latin; akin to Greek klyzein to wash — more at clyster

First Known Use: 1599

Medical Dictionary

cloaca

noun clo·aca \klō-ˈā-kə\

plural clo·acae \-ˌkē, -ˌsē\

Medical Definition of CLOACA

a : the common chamber into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals discharge especially in monotreme mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and elasmobranch fishes b : the terminal part of the embryonic hindgut of a mammal before it divides into rectum, bladder, and genital precursors

: a passage in a bone leading to a cavity containing a sequestrum

—clo·acal \-ˈā-kəl\ adjective