What is the name of the artificial opening into the colon that allows for feces evacuation?

The term that describes an artificial opening into the colon for the purpose of allowing feces to be evacuated is colostomy. This surgical procedure involves creating a stoma, which is an opening on the surface of the abdomen that connects to the colon, permitting waste to exit the body into a collecting pouch instead of through the rectum. Colostomies are performed for various medical conditions that affect the colon and rectum, allowing individuals to manage and live with conditions like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or traumatic injuries.

The other terms provided refer to different types of surgical openings: an ileostomy connects the ileum (the last section of the small intestine) to the abdominal wall, typically used when the colon is removed or not functional; a gastrostomy involves an opening into the stomach, often for feeding purposes; and a tracheostomy is an incision into the windpipe to facilitate breathing. Each of these procedures serves distinct functions that do not pertain to fecal evacuation through the colon, thus reinforcing why colostomy is the correct answer.