Astomous is a biological term used to describe organisms that lack a mouth or oral cavity, such as certain types of flatworms. The spelling of this word is derived from its Greek roots, with "a-" meaning "without", and "stoma" meaning "mouth". Using the International Phonetic Alphabet, the pronunciation of astomous can be transcribed as /əˈstɒməs/, with the stress on the second syllable. This term is commonly used in the field of zoology and is a specialized term that is not frequently used in everyday language.
Astomous is an adjective that refers to the absence or lack of a mouth or oral opening. Derived from the Greek terms "a" (meaning without) and "stoma" (meaning mouth), astomous characterizes organisms or structures that do not possess this anatomical feature.
Astomous is commonly used in the field of biology to describe various species or entities that do not possess a mouth, either naturally or due to some abnormality. This term can be applied to both animals and plants. In some cases, astomous organisms have developed alternative mechanisms to obtain nutrients or perform necessary physiological functions that are typically accomplished through the mouth. For example, some parasitic organisms have lost their mouths and rely on other organs or structures to extract nutrients from their hosts.
Astomous organisms may exhibit adaptations that compensate for the lack of a mouth, such as specialized structures for absorption or symbiotic relationships with other organisms that provide nutrients. Additionally, the study of astomous organisms can provide valuable insights into the diversity and complexity of life forms, as well as the various ways in which living beings have evolved to survive and thrive in different environments.
In summary, the term astomous refers to the absence or nonexistence of a mouth in organisms or structures.
Astomatous.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word astomous is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: a (meaning without or not) and stoma (meaning mouth). In Greek, stoma is also related to the concept of stomach. Therefore, astomous essentially means without a mouth or lacking a mouth.