Jan. 19 (UPI) --For the first time, scientists have described the cloaca, or vent, of a dinosaur -- the all-purpose opening used for reproduction and waste disposal. Many mammals have distinct ...

This cloaca is more than 100 million years old, and it did a lot of work for this extinct species. By Katherine J. Wu The world’s oldest known all-purpose orifice sits in a fossil display case ...

The cloaca is the part of the bird’s body which stores urates, feces, urine and egg. The cloacal lips (or vent) are used to control the passage and frequency of droppings and other eliminations.