Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

..left behind a crucial evidence: his *colostomy bag*?

Is what a medical term? Is the meaning commonly known?

operation creating an artificial anus: a surgical operation that creates an artificial anus through an opening made in the abdomen from the colon

[bud]

Yes, it's a medical term and it is commonly known. For example, a person who had intestinal cancer may end up having to use a colostomy bag.

[Bob S.]

Somewhat commonly known.
When a person has polyps or tumors in their colon, they sometimes have to endure a colonectomy (complete or partial removal of the colon). But body waste has to go someplace, so the small intestine will be attached to a tube that runs outside a hole cut into the abdomen, and the tube dumps into a colostomy bag that must be detached and emptied several times each day.