Glossary of Terms

Products that are specifically designed to ease the problems ostomates face during their stoma care routine, such as leakage, sore skin and difficulty with pouch removal. Products such as stoma paste, medical adhesive remover and flange extenders.

Used to attach and stick stoma products to the skin and keep them securely in place throughout wear.

A collection system where output goes and is stored until removal. This can be known as a pouch.

When your bag inflates due to the buildup of wind.

Otherwise known as a flange, a baseplate is an adhesive plate of hydrocolloid that secures a stoma bag to the body. Some flanges come attached to the bag as a one-piece system, or they can be a two-piece system that allows the bag to be removed while keeping the flange (baseplate) securely on the skin.

A bag that is not drainable from the bottom. Usually when it needs to be emptied, it is removed and thrown away. Most often a person with a colostomy with formed stool would use this type of bag.

Another term for the large intestine.

A surgically created opening into the large intestine or colon.

A flange with a domed plateau that can be used for ostomates with stomas poorly sited, recessed or retracted stomas. Convexity puts gentle force on the abdomen to help get better contact with the abdomen and a better seal around the stoma.

A flange that moulds to the body’s contours, providing a leak free and secure solution for ostomates with parastomal hernias, peristomal irregularities and slightly recessed stomas. A flange that reduces the risk of discomfort, pressure and skin trauma sometimes associated with rigid, conventional convexity products.

A card used to measure the stoma at the base. This information is useful in selecting the right size bag.

A bag that opens from the bottom to empty the contents. A drainable bag requires a clamp or the integral closure system to keep it closed at the bottom. A person with a colostomy or ileostomy would use this type of bag.

Materials used to manufacture the pouch.

A disc of activated carbon in an ostomy bag that allows gas to escape and be deodorised. Filters are also often designed to reduce ballooning, pancaking and leakage.

An abnormal tube-like passageway between one hollow organ in the body and another hollow organ or the skin.

An adhesive plate to secure an ostomy bag to the body. Some flanges come attached to the bag as a one-piece system. Other bags can be removed from the flange on the body as part of a two-piece system.

Generic term to describe a variety of people involved in health care: doctor, stoma care nurse (SCN) and pharmacist.

Hydrocolloid is a moisture retentive material that yields a gel when mixed with any form of moisture. Most flanges (flange) are made up of a hydrocolloid, with Welland’s being a special formulation unique to us, made up of skin friendly, food grade ingredients.

A surgically created opening through the abdomen that leads into the small intestine.

Last section of the small intestine before it connects to the colon.

Any inflammation or soreness. In ostomy care, it usually refers to the skin. Skin irritation may present as reddened, open and/or moist skin.

Urostomy bags have a non-return valve to stop urine from flowing back to the stoma and help prevent urinary infections.

A one-piece system includes a flange and bag that are already attached and secured to the body as one.

Ostomate is a term used for someone who has a stoma. This term can be divided into the different types of stoma, so can be amended to ‘colostomate’, ‘ileostomate’ or urostomate’ depending on the type of stoma that someone has.

A surgically created opening into the gastrointestinal (bowel) or urinary system. This is a general term and is sometimes used interchangeably with the word stoma, which is a Greek word for mouth or opening.

This is when the output collects around the stoma and can squeeze between the flange and the skin instead of going into the bag, creating a vacuum effect.

This refers to the skin immediately around the stoma.

A collection system where output goes and is stored until removal. This can be known as a bag.

The flange opening on these products has already been cut for added convenience. The sizes are listed and should be selected based upon your stoma size. Ideal if your stoma has a round shape.

A mouldable flange that provides a secure seal around irregular or uneven stoma sites. Ideally suited for those with a peristomal hernia.

Stoma care nurse. A nurse with specialised education in the care of people with stomas.

A small starter hole in the centre of the flange where scissors can be placed to make cutting easier. A starter hole product is ideal if the stoma is still changing sizes or if the shape of the stoma is not round.

A surgically created opening into the gastrointestinal (bowel) or urinary system. This is a general term and is sometimes used interchangeably with the word ostomy. The stoma is red, moist and is not painful.

Term used to define waste material from the bowel. Also known as faeces.

A two-piece system includes a flange and removable bag. Both have a plastic ring coupling and adhesive system which can be securely attached. This allows for the bag to be changed whilst the flange can stay on the body.

A surgically created opening with a section of bowel (usually on the abdomen) that allows urine to flow out of the body. A urostomy may also be called a urinary diversion.

This type of bag has a drain tap or spout at the end since it is designed to drain liquid contents (usually urine) from a bag. A person with a urostomy or urinary diversion would use this type of bag.

Another word for baseplate or flange. A wafer is the adhesive baseplate or skin barrier that attaches to the skin around the stoma.