orificios

Orificios is the plural of orificio, a term used to describe openings or holes that allow the passage of substances, energy, or information between two spaces. The concept is employed across disciplines—biology, engineering, geology, and architecture—to refer to natural passages as well as manufactured apertures. The word comes from Latin orificium and has entered Spanish through historical usage.

In anatomy and physiology, orificios are natural openings in the body that enable passage of air, liquids, or waste. Examples include nasal orifices (narinas), the oral opening, the external auditory meatus, the urethral opening, and the anal orifice. These openings often have structures that regulate flow, pressure, and exchange between internal and external environments.

In botany, estomas (stomata) on leaf surfaces function as microscopic orificios that regulate gas exchange and water vapor loss, playing a key role in photosynthesis and transpiration. In engineering and fluid mechanics, an orificio is a controlled hole or aperture used to release, measure, or direct fluid flow, as seen in orifice plates, jets, and vents. The size, shape, and orientation of an orificio influence flow characteristics and pressure.

In geology and geomorphology, natural orificios refer to openings such as cave entrances, fissures, or vents in rocks and volcanic settings. Across domains, the study of orificios encompasses function, design, and impact on systems they connect.