Glossary

In our glossary, we have compiled all the essential terms and jargon frequently used on our website or within our industry. Here, you’ll find precise explanations that will help you navigate and gain a deeper understanding of the topics at hand. Use this glossary as a handy reference to quickly find answers to your questions.

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Abdomen

Latin term for belly.

Absorption

The absorption of substances through a boundary layer. Generally speaking, absorption means the uptake of excess liquid.

Access Port

Refers to the access opening of a drainage pouch for direct access to the supply.

Activated carbon filter

Describes a filter with activated carbon components which neutralises intestinal gases and prevents the pouch from swelling.

Adhesion

Describes the strength with which two things adhere to each other. In relation to ostomies, this is the adhesion between the skin and the baseplate.

Adhesive surface

Describes the entire surface of a baseplate, which ultimately adheres/sticks to the skin.

Alginat

Alginate is a naturally occurring, bioactive hydrocolloid with a wound-healing effect, which is obtained from brown seaweed.

Antibacterial

Means effective against bacteria or bactericidal.

Anus

Latin term for after.

Anus praeter

This is the Latin term for an artificial bowel outlet, also known as a stoma.

Ballooning

For some ostomates, flatulence can be very unpleasant if it is too strong or cannot escape through the filter on the ostomy pouch. As a result, the pouch inflates and stands out clearly from the body. This is known as ballooning.

Baseplate

A baseplate is the basis of the supply, which adheres to the skin.

Bed Bag

A large-volume bag for collecting faeces over a longer period of time. Such a bag has a holder for hanging on a bed.

Bed bag attachment

A device for hanging a bed bag on the bed.

Bioactive

Describes the influence of a substance on the living organism. In simple terms, it refers to the positive effect on our health. Our alginate skin protection, for example, is bioactive and therefore promotes skin health.

Capacity

Specifies the volume up to which a stoma or urine pouch may be filled.

Catheter

Tubular or tube-like instrument that can be inserted into hollow organs or blood vessels. It is used to probe, drain, fill or flush fluids.

CE-Logo

Indicates that a product has been carefully tested by the manufacturer and fulfils all relevant EU-wide requirements.

Chronic

Means: Long lasting.

Clic System

Connection system between baseplate and ostomy pouch. The base plate and ostomy pouch are separated from each other and can be securely connected using the Clic system - similar to a lunch box closure system.

Closed pouch

A closed pouch is one that cannot be emptied - in general colostomy pouches. It must be replaced once the maximum filling volume has been reached.

Colectomy

Describes the procedure in which the colon is removed.

Colitis ulcerosa

Latin term for a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine in which ulcers can form in the intestinal mucosa.

Colon

Latin word for the large intestine.

Colostomy

Drainage of the colon via the abdominal wall (colostoma).

Combiflange

"Combiflange" is the term we use to describe our special skin protection, which consists of two layers of hydrocolloid. The inner layer is thicker, the outer layer thinner, so it moulds perfectly to the surface of the skin.

Condom urinal

Refer to "Urinal condom"

Contact dermatitis

An inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with a specific substance.

Continence

The ability to empty the bladder or bowel at the right time and in the right place.

Convex height

Describes how high the inward curvature of a baseplate is.

Convexity

Convexity refers to the inward curvature of the baseplate - like a hollow. This exerts targeted pressure on the stoma, causing it to protrude further into the pouch.

Crohn's disease

Is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can occur from the mouth to the anus.

Curative

Refers to therapeutic measures taken for the purpose of curing a disease.

Dehydration

Refers to a lack of fluid in the body.

Destruction vent

A destruction vent is found on urine bags that do not have an outlet through which the urine can be drained. Instead, these bags have a notch in the bag that must first be destroyed before the urine can be emptied.

Diarrhö

Aus dem griechischen stammende Bezeichnung für Durchfall.

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are enzymes that, among other things, break down food into its component parts to make it available for metabolism.

Diverticulitis

Diverticula are protrusions in the intestinal wall that are generally harmless. In the case of diverticulitis, these protrusions are inflamed and must be treated.

Double-barrelled stoma

With a double-barrelled stoma, two connections are created between the bowel and the abdominal wall. Such a stoma is usually only temporary and can be reversed.

Drainable pouch

These are ileostomy pouches with an opening at the bottom for emptying.

Drainage

Method in which fluids or air are drained from body cavities or tissue.

Draining incontinence

Drainage of urine to the outside using special aids.

Drip cap

Refers to a plug for closing a urostomy pouch.

Drip chamber

Describes a T-shaped drain valve that can be opened or closed by simple one-hand operation. This is done by sliding the central control from left to right and back again.

eIFU

Abbreviation for "Electronic Instructions for Use".

Enteral nutrition

Enteral (Greek for ‘intestinal’) nutrition describes the intake of food via the digestive tract, for example with the aid of a tube ("tube feeding").

Enteron

Medical term for intestine.

Excretions

Generally refers to faeces, secretions, urine, etc.

Filter sticker

Sticker that can be used to cover the filter on the ostomy pouch, for example to prevent water from leaking in. Such a sticker is often used when showering or bathing.

Fistula

Is an unnatural connection between a hollow organ or organ and the surface of the skin. This connection is caused, for example, by injury, inflammation or disease.

Fixing strips

Is an aid to additionally secure the stoma base. These prevent the edges of the base plate from detaching or rolling up and thus increase the security of adhesion.

Flat supply

Describes an ostomy supply with a flat baseplate.

Flatus

Latin term for flatulence.

Gelatine free

Designates our skin protection, which is free from any animal ingredients.

Granuloma

Collective term for mostly benign tissue neoplasms.

Haemostatic

Simply explained, it means ‘stopping the bleeding’.

Hernia

A hernia is a protrusion of the intestine through a gap in the abdominal wall. This often results in a significant bulge below the surface of the skin.

High-output pouch

Refers to a pouch with a higher filling capacity.

High-output stoma

A stoma that produces more than 2000 ml per day is called a high-output stoma.

HIMI-Number

Is the abbreviation for medical aid directory number. This describes the purpose of the medical aid and its type of use in the GKV's list of medical aids.

Hydrocolloid

Skin protection material, which is mainly composed of natural ingredients such as cellulose, gelatine and pectin. Hydrocolloid tends to form a gel in combination with fluids that are released through the skin, for example. This gel provides the necessary adhesive force for stoma care.

Hydrophilic

The word hydrophilic comes from the Greek and means water-loving, which means that a substance attracts water.

Hypoallergenic

Is a term for products that are low allergenic.

IBD

Abbreviation for chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

IFU

Abbreviation for "Instructions for use".

Ileostomy

Expelling the small intestine through the abdominal wall (small bowel stoma).

Ileum

Latin term for the last section of the small intestine.

Ileum-Conduit

In technical terms, this is a drainage of the ureters through the abdominal wall via a piece of colon.

Ileus

Latin term for an intestinal obstruction. This means that the further transport of the intestinal contents is completely or partially disrupted.

Incontinence

Inability to control the passing of faeces and/or urine.

Indication

Necessity of a therapeutic or diagnostic intervention.

Infection

Refers to infection with a pathogen.

Integrated belt attachment

An attachment for an ostomy belt integrated into the supply system.

Intermittent self-catherism

Describes the emptying of the bladder at regular intervals using a disposable catheter.

Intestinal mucosa

Is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the intestine.

Intestinal obstruction

This is a disorder of the intestinal transit. Simply put: constipation. An intestinal obstruction can be life-threatening and it is therefore advisable to consult a doctor.

Intravenous hydration

Fluid intake with the help of an infusion into the vein.

Irrigation

Irrigation is a type of bowel irrigation that helps colostomy wearers to empty their bowels in a targeted manner.

Konvex

We describe our supply system with a 7 mm convex height as "Konvex".

Latex-free

Without latex: Latex is known to cause allergies. All our products are therefore deliberately latex-free.

Leckage

Leakiness: The skin around the stoma may not be smooth due to bumps or folds. This varies from person to person. Such skin irregularities can mean that the stoma puch does not fit tightly against the skin and leaks.

Leg Bag

Describes a collection bag for urine which is worn on the leg.

Locking ring

Refers to the part that connects the pouch to the baseplate in a 2-part system.

Maceration

Maceration describes the softening of the skin due to prolonged contact with fluid, for example if a stoma supply is infiltrated and the skin is covered with faeces or urine for a longer period of time.

Medium Konvex

We describe our supply system with a 3.5 mm convex height as "Medium Konvex".

Micturition

Refers to the physiological process of emptying the bladder.

Mikroskin

Describes our particularly thin, elastic and breathable skin protection for urostomy supplies.

Minerals

Inorganic, i.e. non-organic food components found in plant and animal foods that are essential to our health.

MPC-filter

Highly effective "Moisture Protect Composition" filter with additional protection against liquid absorption.

Mycosis

Refers to infectious diseases caused by fungi.

Necrosis formation

Describes the destruction of cells due to toxins, lack of oxygen, frostbite, burns, injuries or infections.

Nelaton tip

A Nelaton tip is the most commonly used shape for catheters. It has a closed, straight hollow tip with 2-4 opposite openings (eyes).

Night bag

As the name suggests, a night bag is a container used to collect excretions overnight.

Non-return valve

A safety mechanism that prevents urine in urine bags and urostomy pouches from leaking back into the stoma.

Non-woven dressings

Non-woven dressings are special plastic dressings that are highly absorbent, breathable, very soft and kind to the skin.

One-piece supply

Refers to a supply system in which the pouch and baseplate are connected to each other.

Opaque

A pouch is opaque if its contents cannot be seen.

Operation

An operation is a surgical intervention on the body carried out with the help of medical instruments.

Ostomates

Refers to all persons with an artificial bowel or urinary outlet.

Ostomy belt

An ostomy belt is an additional way of keeping the ostomy supply securely attached to the body. There is a special belt fastening system on the stoma pouch for this purpose.

Ostomy cap

Refers to a particularly discreet form of stoma care, either as a short-term care or after bowel irrigation. It is used exclusively for a colostomy.

Outlet valve

Describes the access opening of a drainage pouch for direct access to the supply.

Paediatric care

Refers to the medical care of children and adolescents.

Pancaking

The phenomenon of pancaking describes stool that sits on and around the stoma and does not slide into the pouch. Other stool has no space and can migrate under the stoma.

Parastomal hernia

Parastomal hernias are intestinal ruptures that form next to a stoma (see "Hernia").

Peristomal skin

The skin area around the stoma is termed peristomal skin.

Permanent catheter

Describes a catheter that is designed for prolonged use.

Permanent stoma

Refers to a permanent stoma, i.e. a stoma that cannot be repositioned.

Plateau size

The plateau size describes the diameter, i.e. the width of the curvature, for convex supplies.

Postoperative

Means "after surgery".

Preoperative

Means "before surgery".

Preventive

Means prophylactic.

Prolapse

Refers to a bowel movement - i.e. an unnatural slippage of the bowel.

Prolapsed stoma

If the bowel protrudes out of the stoma for more than six centimetres (two inches), it is called a prolapsed stoma (see "Prolapse").

Prominent ostomy

This means that the stoma is above the level of the skin. In other words, the stoma protrudes slightly from the skin.

PZN

Pharmazentralnummer (Pharmaceutical Central Number): This is a standardised identification code for medicinal products and aids throughout Germany, which must be indicated by the respective manufacturer on the outer packaging in a machine-readable form.

Rectum

Covers the last 16 cm of the intestine and opens into the anal canal (anus) at the level of the sphincter muscle as the lower opening of the digestive tract.

Resection

Resection is the surgical removal of certain tissue parts of an organ or tumour.

Retracted stoma

Refers to a retracted stoma. In simple terms, this means that the stoma is pulled inwards, like a belly button, for example.

Retraction

In medicine, retraction refers to the "pulling back" or shrinking of an organ or other structure.

Rotary tap (valve)

Describes a special outlet on urostomy pouches for twisting in order to empty the excretions.

Safe and Easy outlet

This is the term for a closing mechanism of our ileostomy puches, which is folded upwards 3 times and finally closed with a flap.

Seam dehiscence

Describes the detachment of the stoma from the skin, i.e. more precisely the opening of the wound edges.

Secreting

Describes the process of secreting a large amount of fluid in the form of excudate (wound secretion).

SGX

SGX is a gelling agent that swells on contact with liquids and binds them.

Single-use catheter

Refers to a catheter for single use.

Skin barrier

The skin barrier is the top layer of our skin and is made up of dead, flattened skin cells. It acts as a natural shield against external influences on the skin.

Skin flora

Refers to all microorganisms colonising the skin under physiological conditions.

Skin level

"At skin level" means that the stoma will be flush with the skin. "Below skin level" means that the stoma is retracted inwards. A stoma "above skin level" means that it protrudes further out of the skin.

Skin protection material

Material that protects the skin surrounding the stoma against often aggressive excretions.

Skin protection ring

Refers to a skin protection material in the form of a ring, which serves to protect the skin around the stoma and provide additional sealing.

Soft outlet

This is an outlet with a soft silicone stopper for our urostomy pouches.

Special supply

We use the term special supply to describe products with specialised supply options, for example in the area of premature baby care.

Stenosis

In the area of the stoma, stenosis is the narrowing of the stoma. Among other things, this can lead to faeces no longer or only partially finding their way into the stoma pouch.

Sterile

In microbiology and pharmacy, sterile means "germ-free".

Stoma

Generally speaking, the term comes from the Greek and means "mouth/opening". In medical terms, a stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall.

Stoma bandage

Is an ostomy accessory that is used for external support of the abdominal wall, for example in the case of a hernia.

Stoma blockage

This is a blockage in the bowel where stool cannot pass or only partially passes. Ostomy blockage can be caused by fibre-rich foods, for example.

Stoma opening

The stoma opening is the opening in the baseplate or in the skin protection through which the stoma is passed.

Stoma therapist

A term commonly used in the Anglo-American world for specialised nurses for ostomy, incontinence and wound care.

Stoma-output

Another term for excretions from the ostomy.

Supply change

The entire process of changing the ostomy supply is described as a supply change.

Supply system

The supply system refers to the supply components of a stoma in its entirety.

T-drainage valve

Describes a T-shaped drain valve that can be opened or closed by simple one-hand operation. This is done by sliding the central control from left to right and back again.

Tapered edges

Describes a skin protection that becomes thicker from the outside inwards.

Temporary stoma

Describes a stoma that has been temporarily created and is subsequently repositioned.

Terminal stoma

In the case of a terminal stoma, the section of bowel coming from the stomach side is passed through the abdominal wall to the outside, where it forms the end of the bowel. There is thus only one intestinal opening on the abdominal wall.

Transurethral balloon catheter

A transurethral bladder catheter is inserted into the bladder through the urethra and is used for temporary artificial urinary diversion. To prevent the catheter from slipping out, it is blocked by a small balloon integrated into the tip of the catheter. This allows the catheter to remain in the bladder for some time.

Twist and Safe outlet

This is the name given to our rotating valve for urostomy pouches. This is turned to open or close.

Two-piece supply

In a two-piece system, the base and ostomy pouch are separate and can be connected using a "clic system", similar to a lunch box.

Ulcer

Refers to a deep tissue defect of the skin or mucous membrane.

Ulceration

Ulceration is the formation of an ulcer (Latin: ulcus). An ulcer is a tissue defect in the skin or mucous membrane. The causes are often infectious, ischaemic (reduced/lack of blood flow) or immunological (affecting the immune system).

Urinal condom

This is a urine drainage aid for men that is used for incontinence. They are made of latex or silicone and are placed over the penis like a condom. The urine is drained into a separate bag via the drain valve.

Uro adapter

Refers to a connection system with which the urostomy pouch and night bag can be joined together.

Urostomy

A urostomy is a surgically created, incontinent urinary diversion.

Vacuum formation

Vacuum formation occurs when stool collects in the upper area of the pouch and does not slide down into the pouch. This "congestion" can cause the pouch to detach from the skin or, in the case of two-part supplies, from the baseplate.

Valve

A valve is used to regulate the throughflow of liquids.

Velcro leg strap

A type of strap for attaching a leg bag to the leg.

Window

A "window" is an opening in the fabric cover of the stoma pouch that allows easy inspection of the ostomy.

Wound

A wound is an injury caused by severing or superficial damage to the skin or mucous membrane and possibly the underlying structures.

Wound and fistula drainage

Wound and fistula drainage is a medical procedure used to drain fluids (blood, pus or wound secretions) from the body. This supports healing and prevents infections.

Wound dressing

Dressing material that is applied to an external wound.

Wound management

Refers to the treatment of wounds.

Wound measurement tool

Is an tool, similar to a linial, for determining the depth of a wound.