duto

Duto is a noun in Portuguese that denotes a duct, conduit, or channel intended to transport fluids, gases, or other substances from one location to another. It is commonly used in civil engineering, architecture, plumbing, HVAC, and anatomy. In everyday language, people refer to plumbing dutos such as duto de água (water duct) or duto de ar (air duct). In anatomy and medicine, duto may describe tubular structures within the body, such as bile ducts or pancreatic ducts, depending on the region's terminology; more specialized terms may also use "ducto" or other words in some dialects.

The term derives from Latin "ductus" meaning "having been led" or "led" and is cognate with words in Spanish ("ducto") and other Romance languages. In Portuguese, "duto" is distinct from "conducto" or "canal" but overlaps in meaning. Usage varies by region and field; some contexts prefer "ducto" or "duct" in technical writing.

As a common noun, duto is rarely a proper noun, but may appear in brand names or regional toponyms in some cases. The concept of a duto is central to systems that require controlled transport of fluids or gases, including drainage, ventilation, and processing facilities.