Trapdoor
![A trapdoor to a bomb shelter from World War II](/Images/godic/202501/17/Trapdoor1758.jpg")
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![Amtrak conductors standing in the doorways of Amfleet cars with their trapdoors in the closed (above) and open (below) positions](/Images/godic/202501/17/Amtrak_Downeaster_conductor_standing_in_Amfleet_car_doorway1758.jpg")
![An Amtrak conductor standing in the doorway of an Amfleet cars with its trapdoor in the open position](/Images/godic/202501/17/Amtrak_conductor_stands_in_train_door_as_westbound_Cardinal_departs_Staunton1758.jpg")
A trapdoor is a sliding or hinged door, flush with the surface of a floor, roof, or ceiling, or in the stage of a theatre. A hatch, an opening which may also be in a wall and need not be flush with the surface, is similar; in some cases either name is applicable. A small door in a wall, floor or ceiling used to gain access to equipment is called an access hatch or access door.