Cloaca (osteomyelitis)

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A cloaca (pl. cloacae/cloacas) can be found in chronic osteomyelitis.

The cloaca is an opening in an involucrum which allows drainage of purulent and necrotic material out of the dead bone. If the tract extends to the skin surface, the portion extending beyond the involucrum to the skin surface is called a sinus tract .

History and etymology

"Cloaca" derives from the Latin word for "sewer" or "drain".