orifis

Orifis is not a standard term in English for anatomy or engineering. When it appears, it is usually as a misspelling or variant of orifice. In proper usage, the term is orifice (singular) and orifices (plural), referring to openings or holes that allow passage of substances or objects.

In anatomy and physiology, an orifice is a natural opening in the body. Examples include the oral orifice (mouth), nasal orifices (nostrils), the urethral orifice, the anal orifice, and the vaginal orifice. These openings are lined with tissues and may be surrounded by muscles that regulate their size or function. In plants, openings such as stomata act as orifices that control gas exchange and water loss.

In engineering and fluid mechanics, an orifice denotes a small hole in a container, tank, or pipe through which fluid flows. Orifice plates are devices used to measure flow rate and to create controlled flow restrictions. The flow characteristics of an orifice depend on factors such as pressure difference, hole size, and fluid properties, and they are analyzed using principles of continuity and energy conservation.

Medical and clinical contexts sometimes consider patency or obstruction of an orifice. An atresia or stenosis of an opening can have significant health implications and may require diagnostic evaluation or surgical intervention.

Etymology traces orifice to Latin orificium, meaning a beginning or opening. Although “orifis” may appear in some texts, the standard terms are orifice and orifices.