gapes

Gapes is the plural form of gape, a term used to describe a wide opening or an opening in a structure. The word can refer to natural openings, such as the gap between rocks, cracks in surfaces, or the mouth of an animal or flower, as well as to manufactured gaps or slits. As a verb, gape means to open the mouth wide or to stare with the mouth open, and it can be used in contexts ranging from anatomy to figurative expression.

In veterinary and agricultural contexts, gapes most commonly refers to gapeworm disease in birds. The disease is caused by the nematode Syngamus trachealis, which resides in the trachea and bronchi and can cause coughing, wheezing, and an apparent gaping of the beak as the bird struggles to breathe. Infection is usually acquired through ingestion of eggs from contaminated bedding or droppings, and crowded or unsanitary conditions increase transmission risk. Management includes improving sanitation, reducing contact with contaminated material, and administering anthelmintic treatments under veterinary guidance.

Outside medical usage, gapes may describe multiple openings in solid objects or biological structures, or be used metaphorically to indicate a notable or conspicuous opening. The term appears mainly in descriptive, anatomical, zoological, or technical writing, where precise references to openings or the act of opening are required.