cloaca

cloaca
cloacal, adj.
/kloh ay"keuh/, n., pl. cloacae /-see/.
1. Zool.
a. the common cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals open in birds, reptiles, amphibians, many fishes, and certain mammals.
b. a similar cavity in invertebrates.
2. a sewer, esp. an ancient sewer.
[1650-60; < L clo(u)aca, cluaca sewer, drain; prob. akin to Gk klýzein to wash, wash away]

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In vertebrates, common chamber and outlet into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts open.

It is present in amphibians, reptiles, birds, some fishes (e.g., sharks), and monotreme mammals but is absent in placental mammals and most bony fishes. Certain animals (e.g., many reptiles and some birds, including ducks) have an accessory organ (penis) within the cloaca that is used to direct the sperm into the female's cloaca. Most birds mate by joining their cloacas in a "cloacal kiss"; muscular contractions transfer the sperm from the male to the female.

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      (Latin: “sewer”), in vertebrates, common chamber and outlet into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts open. It is present in amphibians, reptiles, birds, elasmobranch fishes (such as sharks), and monotremes. A cloaca is not present in placental mammals or in most bony fishes. Certain animals have, within the cloaca, an accessory organ ( penis) that is used to direct the sperm into the female's cloaca. This structure occurs in many reptiles and in a few birds (bird), including ducks. Most birds, however, mate by joining their cloacas in a “cloacal kiss”; muscular contractions transfer the sperm from the male to female.

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  • Cloaca — For other meanings, see Cloaca (disambiguation). An avian cloaca or vent; in this example, a red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) …   Wikipedia

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