Plural of gastrostomy; plural instances of surgical procedures creating an opening between the stomach and the abdominal wall.
From Greek 'gastro-' (stomach) + 'stoma' (mouth or opening) + '-ies' (plural suffix). A gastrostomy literally creates a 'mouth' or opening in the stomach for feeding or medical access.
People who can't swallow safely or eat normally because of conditions like ALS or stroke often rely on gastrostomy tubes—doctors create a small opening directly into the stomach so nutrition can bypass the throat entirely.
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