The word cloaca is of Latin origin. Translated into Russian as a place to collect sewage. When understanding what a cesspool is, it must be taken into account that a word has several meanings, depending on its area of application.
The meaning of the word in zoology
In zoology, cesspool is the extended end of the intestine that extends outward and combines the functions of the urinary, reproductive, and anal systems of the body. It is controlled by the sphincter muscles.
Animals with cesspool:
- of fish - bipedal, sharks and stingrays;
- all amphibians (toads, frogs, newts, salamanders and others);
- all reptiles (lizards, snakes, chameleons, turtles, crocodiles and others);
- all birds;
- of mammals, it is echidna and platypus. By the way, the mentioned bird animals live in Australia, and until the middle of the last century, scientists generally doubted their existence.
This single hole - cesspool - in reptiles, amphibians, birds and other "one-pass" animals provides a single passage of urine, feces and is used for mating and laying eggs.
Interestingly, in some animals, this hole also performs protective functions. For example, some snakes emit an unpleasant odor through the cloaca to scare away predators.
The appearance of the excreting single gut is of great importance for determining the health of animals. If the cesspool of parrots, turtles, or other pets of yours sticks out, red, in the litter, you must definitely contact your veterinarian for advice. This may be a sign of an upset digestive system or an infectious disease.
What is a cesspool from a medical point of view
There is a congenital intrauterine malformation - congenital cesspool. This very serious anomaly occurs exclusively in girls. It is characterized by fusion of the vagina, urethra and rectum into a single channel.
Treatment is possible only by surgery. Operations of the newborn infant are carried out several times until they reach 6 months. Given that the surgical correction of congenital malformation is one of the most difficult operations, it is carried out only in specialized departments by highly qualified pediatric surgeons.
Predictions for treating congenital cloaca depend on many factors:
- timely and correct diagnosis;
- anatomical features of the anomaly;
- health status of the baby.
Cesspool in construction - historical roots and modernity
To drain the swampy soil between the Roman hills in the 4th century BC, special land and underground canals were built. Water from these drains was drained from drained places directly into the Tiber River. The most grandiose of all was the central land channel, which the ancient Romans called the "Big Cloak", or "Cloac of Maximus." Later, the network of canals began to be successfully used as rainwater and for the discharge of urban sewage.
Cloaca Maxima was built from sturdy huge stone blocks without cement. The width of this largest canal reaches 3 m, height - 4 m. The structure has served 24 centuries and is still in working condition. Nowadays, used by the Romans as storm sewers.
What is cesspool in ancient Rome? This is nothing but a prototype of modern sewers.
