Surgery Glossary

A

Abaptiston
A cone-shaped trephine designed to avoid penetration of the brain when incising the skull

Abdominoplasty
Excision of abdominal fat and skin for cosmetic purposes.

Ablation
The removal, esp. of organs, abnormal growths, or harmful substances from the body by mechanical means, as by surgery.

Acus
A needle, esp. one used in a surgical operation.

Acusector
A needle for cutting tissue by means of a high-frequency electric current.

Adenectomy
Surgical removal of the adenoids.

Allograft
A tissue or organ obtained from one member of a species and grafted to genetically dissimilar member of the same species. Also called "allotransplant, homograft, homotransplant." Cf. "Autograft, syngraft, xenograft."

Amputate
 To cut off (all or part of a limb or digit of the body), as by surgery.

Amputee
To cut off (all or part of a limb or digit of the body), as by surgery.

Anaplasty
Reconstruction or restoration, esp. by plastic surgery, of a lost or injured part.

Angioplasty
The repair of a blood vessel, as by inserting a balloon-tipped catheter to unclog it or by replacing part of the vessel with either a piece of the patient’s own tissue or a prosthetic device: Example: coronary angioplasty to widen an artery blocked by plaque.

Appendectomy
Excision of the vermiform appendix.

Arteriotomy
The incision or opening into the lumen of an artery for the removal of a clot, embolus, or the like, or, formerly, for bloodletting.

Arthrectomy
Erasion

Arthroplasty
The Surgical repair of a joint or the fashioning of a movable joint, using the patient’s own tissue or an artificial replacement.

Artificial Heart
Any of various four-chambered devices, modeled on the human heart, that pump blood by attachment to a power source and that are constructed for temporary external use or for implantation as a temporary or permanent heart replacement.

Artificial Kidney
A mechanical device that operates outside the body and substitutes for the kidney by removing waste products from the blood, Also called "hemodialyzer." Cf Dialysis

Atherectomy
The removal of plaque from an artery by means of a tiny rotating cutting blade inserted through a catheter.

Autograft
A tissue or organ that is grafted into a new position on the body of the individual from which it was removed. Also called " autoplast, autotransplant." Cf. allograft, syngraft, xenograft

Autologous
From the same organism: Example: and autologous graft

Autoplasty
The repair of defects with tissue from another part of the patient’s body.

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B

Balloon Angioplasty
A method of opening a clogged or narrowed blood vessel in which a small balloon is introduced into the vessel by means of a catheter and then inflated at the site of blockage.

Bikini Cut
A horizontal surgical incision in the lower abdomen, often used for a hysterectomy or a Cesarean delivery, so called because it leaves a less noticeable scar than does a vertical incision.

Bioplastic
Plastic suitable for use as a biomaterial.

Blepharoplasty
Plastic surgery of the eyelid, used to remove epicanthic folds, sagging tissue, or winkles around the eyes or to repair injury to the eyelid.

Bloodletting
The act or practice of letting blood by opening a vein; phlebotomy.

Bone Marrow Transplant
The technique in which a small amount of bone marrow is withdrawn by a syringe. from a donor’s pelvic bone and injected into a patient whose ability to make new blood cells has been impaired by a disease, as anemia or cancer, or by exposure to radiation.

Bur
A cutting tool resembling that of a dentist, used for the excavation of bone.

Buttonhole
A short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.

Bypass
A surgical procedure in which a diseased or obstructed hollow organ is temporarily or permanently circumvented. Cf coronary bypass, gastric bypass, heart-lung machine, intestinal bypass.

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C

Cannula
A metal tube for insertion into the body to draw off fluid or to introduce medication.

Cardiectiomy
Excision of the heart.

Cardiectomy
Excision of the cardiac section of the stomach.

Castrate
To remove the testes of; emasculated; geld.

Centesis
A puncture into a body cavity, usually to remove fluid.

Cesarean
Also called Cesarean section, c-section. "An operation by which a fetus is taken from the uterus by cutting through the walls of the abdomen and uterus.

Cheiloplasty
Plastic surgery of the lip.

Chemopallidectomy
An operation for treating Parkinson’s disease and certain other diseases characterized by muscular rigidity, consisting of destroying a specific part of the corpus striatum by injection it with a chemical, usually alcohol.

Chemosurgery
The use of chemical substances to destroy diseased or unwanted tissue.

Cholecystectomy
Removal of the gallbladder

Circumcise
To remove the prepuce of (a male), esp. as a religious rite.

Circumcision
An act, instance, or the rite of circumcising.

Coapt
To bring close together: Example: The Surgeons coapted the edges of the wound.

Cochlear Implant
A device consisting of microelectrodes that deliver electrical stimuli directly to the auditory nerve when surgically implanted into the cochlea, enabling a person with sensorineural deafness to hear. Also called "artificial ear."

Colectomy
The removal of all or part of the colon or large intestine.

Colotomy
Incision or opening of the colon.

Commissurotomy
The incision of a band of commissures, esp. of miltral fibers, to correct mitral stenosis, Cf. valvulotomy.

Compressor
An instrument for compressing a part of the body.

Cordotomy
The surgical severance of certain nerve fibers of the spinal cord to alleviate intractable pain.

Coronary Bypass
The surgical revascularization of the heart, using healthy blood vessels of the patient, performed to circumvent obstructed coronary vessels and improve blood flow.

Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic surgery for improving a person’s appearance by restoration of damaged areas of skin, removal of wrinkles or blemishes, etc.
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Costectomy
Excision of part of all of a rib. Also called "thoracectomy."

Costomotme
An instrument, as shears or a knife, for incising or dividing a rib, as in costotomy.

Craniotomy
The operation of opening the skull, usually for operations on the brain.

Cryoextraction
The surgical removal of a cataract with a cryoprobe.

Cryoprobe
An instrument used in cryosurgery, having a supercooled tip for applying extreme cold to diseased tissue in order to remove or destroy it.

Cryosurgery
The use of extreme cold to destroy tissue for therapeutic purpose.

Curette
A scoop-shaped surgical instrument for removing tissue from body cavities, as the uterus.

Cutdown
The incision of a superficial vein in order to effect direct insertion of a catheter.

Cyclotome
A type of scalpel for performing a cyclotomy.

Cyclotomy
Incision of the ciliary muscle.

Cystectomy
Excision of a cyst or bladder, usually from the urinary bladder.

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D

Debride
To clean (a wound) by debridement.

Debridement
Surgical removal of foreign matter and dead tissue from a wound.

Decerebrate
To remove the cerebrum.

Decompression
The procedure of relieving increased cranial, cardiac, or orbital pressure.

Decorticate
To remove the cortex from (an organ or structure).

Decortication
The removal of the cortex, the enveloping membrane, or a fibrinous covering from an organ or structure.

Dehiscence
The bursting open of a surgically closed wound.

Depressor
An instrument for pressing down a protruding part, as a tongue depressor.

Dermatome
A mechanical instrument for cutting thin sections of skin for grafting.

Dilator
An instrument for dilating body canals, orifices, or cavities.

Divulse
To tear away or apart, as distinguished from cut or dissect.

Divulsion
A tearing apart; violent separation.

Drain
A material or appliance for maintaining the opening of a wound to permit free exit of fluids.

Drainage
The drainage of fluids, as bile, urine, etc., from the body, or of pus and other diseased products from a wound.

Duodenojejunostom
The formation of an artificial connection between the duodenum and the jejunum.

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E

Electrosurgery
The use in surgery of an electric instrument, as an acusector, or of an electric current, as in electrocoagulation; surgical diathemy.

Embryectomy
Removal of an embryo.

Embryotomy
Dismemberment of a fetus, when natural delivery is impossible, in order to effect its removal.

Encephalotomy
Surgical incision or dissection of the brain.

Endarterectomy
The surgical stripping of a fat-encrusted, thickened arterial lining so as to open or widen the artery for improved blood circulation.

Engraft
(Of living tissue) to become grafted.

Enterectomy
Excision of part of the intestine.

Enucleate
To remove (a kernel, tumor, eyeball, etc.) From its enveloping cover.

Eviscerate
To remove the contents of (a body organ).

Excise
To cut out or off, as a tumor.

Excision
The surgical removal of a foreign body or of tissue.

Exfoliate
To remove the surface of (a bone, the skin, etc.) In scales or laminae.

Exfoliation
The act, state, or process of exfoliating.

Explore
To investigate into, esp. mechanically, as with a probe.

Exscind
To cut out or off.

Exsect
To cut out.

Extension
The act of pulling the broken or dislocated part of a limb in a direction from the trunk, in order to bring the ends of the bone into their natural situation.

Exteriorize
To expose (an internal structure) temporarily outside the body, for observation, surgery, or experimentation.

Extirpate
To pull up by or as if by the roots; root up: Example: to extirpate an unwanted hair.

Eye Tuck
Eyelift.

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F

Fistula
An opening made into a hollow organ, as the bladder or eyeball, for drainage.

Fixator
A device incorporating a metal bar and pins that is used in stabilizing difficult bone fractures.

Flap
A portion of skin or flesh that is partially separated from the body and may subsequently be transposed by grafting.

Fleam
A kind of lancet, as for opening veins.

Forceps
An instrument, as pincers or tongs, for seizing and holding objects, as in surgical operations.

Freeze
To render part of the body insensitive to pain or slower in its function by artificial means.

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G

Gag
To fasten open the jaws of, as in surgical operations.

Ganglionectomy
The excision of a ganglion.

Gastrectomy
Partial or total excision of the stomach.

Gastric Bypass
A Surgical procedure by which all or part of the stomach is circumvented by anastomosis to the small intestine, performed to overcome obstruction or in the treatment of morbid obesity. Also called "gastroplasty."

Gastroenterostomy
The making of a new passage between the stomach and the duodenum (gastroduodenostomy) or, esp., the jejunum (gastrojejunostomy).

Gastroplasty
Any plastic surgery on the stomach.

Gastrostomy
The construction of an artificial opening from the stomach through the abdominal wall, permitting intake of food or drainage of gastric contents.

General
(of anesthesia or and anesthetic) causing loss of consciousness and abolishing sensitivity to pain throughout the body.

Graft
A portion of living tissue surgically transplanted from one part of an individual to another, or from one individual to another, for its adhesion and growth.

Gyrectomy
Excision of a cerebral gyrus.

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H

Hair Implant
The insertion of synthetic fibers or human hair into the scalp to cover baldness. Cf. Hair Transplant.

Hernioplasty
An operation for the repair of a hernia.

Herniorrhaphy
Correction of a hernia by a suturing procedure.

Heteroplasty
The repair of lesions with tissue from another individual or species.

Hymenotomy
Incision of the hymen

Hypophysectomy
Excision of the pituitary gland.

Hysterectomy
Excision of the uterus.

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I

Ileocolostomy
The surgical formation of an artificial opening between the ileum and the colon.

Ileostomy
The construction of an artificial opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall, permitting drainage of the contents of the small intestine.

Imbrication
Overlapping of layers of tissue in the closure of wounds or in the correction of defects.

Implantable
Pertaining to a device, as a micro-pump or porous polymer membrane, for surgical insertion under the skin for the controlled release of a drug.

Incision
A cutting into, esp. for surgical purposes.

Inosculate
To unite by openings, as arteries in anastomosis.

Intestinal Bypass
The surgical circumvention, by anastomosis, of a diseased portion of the intestine; also sometimes used to reduce nutrient absorption in morbidly obese patients.

In Utero Surgery
Surgery performed on a fetus while it is in the womb.

Iridectome
A slender cutting instrument used in performing an iridectomy.

Iridectomize
To perform an iridectomy on.

Iridectomy
Excision of part of the iris.

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J

Jejunectomy
Excision of part or all of the jejunum.

Jejunostomy
An artificial opening from the jejunum through the abdominal wall, created for the drainage of jejunal contents or for feeding.

K

Keratectomy
Excision of part of the cornea.

Keratoplasty
Plastic surgery performed upon the cornea, esp. a corneal transplantation.

Keratotomy
Incision of the cornea.

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L

Laminectomy
The surgical removal of part of the posterior arch of a vertebra to provide access to the spinal canal, as for the excision of a ruptured disk.

Lancet
A small surgical instrument, usually sharp-point and two-edged, for making small incisions, opening abscesses, etc.

Laparectomy
Excision of strips of the abdominal wall and suturing of the wounds so as to correct laxity of abdominal muscles.

Laparoscope
A flexible fiberoptic instrument, passed thorugh a small incision in the abdominal wall and equipped with biopsy forceps, an obturator, scissors or the like, with which to examine the abdominal cavity or perform minor surgery.

Laparoscopy
Examination of the abdominal cavity or performance of minor abdominal surgery using a laparoscope.

Laparotome
A cutting instrument for performing a laparotomy.

Laparotomy
Incision through the abdominal wall.

Laryngectomy
Excision of part or all of the larynx.

Laserscope
A surgical instrument that employs a laser beam to destroy diseased tissue or to create small channels; used to open clogged arteries and, in ophthalmology, to treat patients with glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

Laser Surgery
The surgical use of lasers.

Levator
An instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull.

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Ligation
The act of ligating, esp. of surgically tying up a bleeding artery.

Lipectomy
The surgical removal of fatty tissue. Cf. suction lipectomy.

Lithotomy
Surgery to remove one or more stones from an organ or duct.

Lithotrite
An instrument for performing lithotrity.

Lithotrity
The operation of crushing stone in the urinary bladder into particles small enough to be voided.

Lobectomy
Excision of a lobe of an organ or gland.

Lobotomized
Having undergone a lobotomy.

Lobotomy
The operation of cutting into a lobe, as of the brain or the lung.

Lop
To cut off (a limb, part, or the like) from a person, animal, etc.

Lumpectomy
The surgical removal of a breast cyst or tumor.

Lymphadenectomy
The excision of one or more lymph nodes, usually as a procedure in the surgical removal or destruction of a cancer.

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M

Mammoplasty
Reconstruction or alteration in size or contour of the breast.

Mastectomy
The operation of removing all or part of the breast or mamma. Also called "mammectomy."

Mastoidectomy
The removal of part of a mastoid process, usually for draining a infection.

Mastopexy
Fixation of a pendulous breast.

Meniscectomy
The surgical excision of a meniscus, as of the knee joint.

Memtoplasty
Plastic surgery to correct a functional or cosmetic deformity of the chin.

Microprobe
A miniature probe for use in microsurgery.

Microsurgery
Any of various surgical procedures performed under magnification and with small specialized instruments, permitting very delicate operations, as the reconnection of severed blood vessels and nerves.

Minilaparotomy
Laparotomy with a small incision into the abdomen, often no more than 1 in. (2.5 cm), used sep. for tubal ligation.

Myomectomy
The surgical removal of a myoma, esp. the excision of a fibroid tumor from the uterus.

Myotom
Surgical incision of the tympanic membrane.

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N

Necrotomy
The dissection of dead bodies.

Nephrectomy
Excision of a kidney.

Nephrolithotomy
Incision or opening of a kidney pelvis for removal of a calculus.

Nephrotomy
Incision into the kidney, as for the removal of a calculus 

Neurectomy
The removal of part or all of a nerve.

Neurolysis
Separation of adhesions from a nerve fiber.

Neurosurgery
Surgery of the brain or other nerve tissue.

Neurotomy
The cutting of a nerve, as to relieve neuralgia.

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O

Oophorectomy
The operation of removing one or both ovaries; ovariectomy.

Open-Heart Surgery
Surgery performed on the exposed heart while a heart-lung machine pumps and oxygenated the blood and diverts it from the heart.

Operable
That which can be treated by a surgical operation. Cf "inoperable"

Operated
To have performed a surgical procedure.

Operation
A procedure aimed at restoring or improving the health of a patient, as by correcting a malformation, removing diseased parts, implanting new parts, etc.

Orchiectomy
Excision of one or both testes; castration.

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Orthognathic Surgery
The surgical correction of deformities or malpositions of the jaw.

Ostectomy
Excision of part or all of a bone.

Osteoclasis
The fracturing of a bone to correct deformity.

Osteoclast
An instrument for effecting osteoclasis.

Osteoplastic
Pertaining to osteoplasty.

Osteotome
A double-beveled chisel like instrument for cutting or dividing bone.

Osteotomy
The dividing of a bone, or the excision of part of it.

Ostomy
Any of various surgical procedures, as a colostomy, in which an artificial opening is made so as to permit the drainage of waste products either into an appropriate organ or to the outside of the body.

Otoplasty
Plastic surgery of the external ear.

Ovariectomy
The operation of removing one or both ovaries, ophorectomy.

Ovariotomy
Incision into or removal of an ovary.

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P

Pancreatectomy
Excision of part or all of the pancreas.

Pancreatotomy
Incision of the pancreas.

Paracentesis
Puncture of the wall of a cavity to drain off fluid. Also called "tapping."

Parathyroldectomy
The excision of a parathyroid gland.

Peg Leg
An artificial leg, esp. a wooden one.

Penetrating
Noting a wound that pierces the skin, esp. a deep wound entering an organ or body cavity.

Perfuse
To pass (fluid) through blood vessels or the lymphatic system.

Perfusion
The passage of fluid through the lymphatic system or blood vessels to an organ or a tissue.

Peritonealize
To cover with peritoneum.

Pharyngectomy
Excision of part or all of the pharynx.

Phlebotome
A cutting instrument used for phlebotomy.

Plastic
Concerned with or pertaining to the remedying or restoring of malformed, injured, or lost parts: Example: a plastic operation.

Plastic Surgery
The branch of surgery dealing with the repair or replacement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues of the body, chiefly by the transplant of living tissue.

Plicate
To perform plication on.

Plomb
Any inert material inserted into a body cavity for therapeutic purpose.

Plug
A patch of scalp with viable hair follicles that is used as a graft for a bald part of the head. Cf. "hair transplant."

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Pneumonectomy
Excision of part or all of a lung.

Prefrontal Lobotomy
A psycho-surgical procedure in which the frontal lobes are separated from the rest of the brain by cutting the connecting nerve fibers. Also called "frontal lobotomy, lobotomy."

Preparation
A specimen, as an animal body, prepared for scientific examination, dissection, etc.

Prepare
To put in proper condition or readiness: Example: to prepare a patient for surgery.

Prostatectomy
Excision of part or all of the prostate gland.

Prosthesis
A device, either external or implanted, that substitutes for or supplements a missing or defective part of the body.

Prosthetics
The branch of surgery or of dentistry that deals with replacement of missing parts with artificial structures. Cf. "prosthodontics."

Psychosurgery
Treatment of mental disorders by means of brain surgery. Cf. "lobotomy."

Ptyalectasis
Spontaneous or surgical dilatation of a salivary duct.

Purse-String Suture
A suture for a circular opening, stitched around the edge, that closes it when pulled.

Pyloroplasty
The surgical alteration of the pylorus, usually a widening to facilitate the passage of food from the stomach to the duodenum.

Psychosurgery
Treatment of mental disorders by means of brain surgery. Cf. "lobotomy."

Ptyalectasis
Spontaneous or surgical dilatation of a salivary duct.

Purse-String Suture
No

Pyloroplasty
The surgical alteration of the pylorus, usually a widening to facilitate the passage of food from the stomach to the duodenum.

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R

Radio Knife
An electrical instrument for cutting tissue that by searing severed blood vessels seals them and prevents bleeding.

Reconstructive Surgery
The restoration of appearance and function following injury or disease, or the correction of congenital defects, using the techniques of plastic surgery.

Remiplant
To restore (a tooth, organ, limb, or other structure) to its original site.

Reimplantation
The surgical restoration of a tooth, organ, limb. Or other structure to its original site.

Replant
To reattach, as a severed arm, finger, or toe, esp. with the use of microsurgery to reconnect nerves and blood vessels.

Reposition
Replacement, as of a bone.

Resect
An instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.

Revascularization
The restoration of the blood circulation of an organ or area, achieved by unblocking obstructed or disrupted blood vessels or by surgically implanting replacements.

Revascularize
To surgically improve the blood circulation of (an organ or area of the body).

Rhinoplasty
Plastic surgery of the nose.

Rhizotomy
The surgical section or cutting of the spinal nerve roots, usually posterior or sensory roots, to eliminate pain.

Rhytidectomy
Face-lift.

Rongeur
A strongly constructed instrument with a sharp-edge, scoop-shaped tip, used for gouging out bone.

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S

Salpingectomy
Excision of the fallopian tube.

Salpingostomy
The formation of an artificial opening into a fallopian tube.

Scalpel
A small, light, usually straight knife used in surgical and anatomical operations and dissections.

Scapulary
A shoulder dressing that keeps the shoulder or another bandage in place.

Scarification
An act or instance of scarifying.

Scarificator
A surgical instrument for scarifying.

Scarify
To make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin, a wound, etc.), as in vaccination.

Sclerotome
An instrument for use in performing a sclerotomy.

Scoop
A spoonlike apparatus for removing substances or foreign objects from the body.

Section
To make an incision.

Septectomy
Excision of part or all of a septum, esp. the nasal septum.

Sequestrectomy
The removal of dead spicules or portions, esp. of bone.

Set
To put (a broken or dislocated bone) back in position.

Seton
A thread or the like inserted beneath the skin to provide drainage or to guide subsequent passage of a tube.

Sex Change
The alteration, by surgery and hormone treatments, of a person’s morphological sex characteristics to approximate those of the opposite sex.

Shunt
A channel through which blood or other bodily fluid is diverted from its normal path by surgical reconstruction or by a synthetic tube.

Skin Graft
Skin used for transplanting in skin grafting.

Skin Planing
Dermabrasion.

Snare
A wire noose for removing tumors or the like by the roots or at the base.

Sound
To examine, as the urinary bladder, with a sound.

Speculum
An instrument fro rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice.

Splenectomy
Excision of removal of the spleen. Also called "lienectomy."

Sponge
A sterile surgical dressing of absorbent material, usually cotton gauze, for wiping or absorbing pus, blood, or other fluids during a surgical operation.

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Spud
An instrument having a dull flattened blade for removing substances or foreign bodies from certain parts of the body, as wax from the ear.

Stapedectomy
A micro surgical procedure to relieve deafness by replacing the stapes of the ear with a prosthetic device.

Stoma
An artificial opening between two hollow organs or between one hollow organ and the outside of the body, constructed to permit the passage of body fluids or waste products.

Strip
To remove (a vein) by pulling it inside out through a small incision, using a long, hooked instrument.

Strumectomy
Excision of part or all of a goiter.

Suction and Curettage
A technique involving extraction of the fetus through a suction tube, used to perform abortions during the early stages of pregnancy.

Suction Lipectomy
The removal of fatty tissue by making a small incision in the skin, loosening the fat layer, and withdrawing it by suction. Cf. "lipectomy."

Surgeon
A physician who specializes in surgery.

Surgery
The art, practice, or work of treating diseases, injuries, or deformities by manual or operative procedures; Treatment, as an operation, performed by a Surgeon.

Surgical
Pertaining to or involving surgery or Surgeons.

Surgical Needle
A needle for suturing.

Surgicenter
A surgical facility, not based in a hospital, where minor surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.

Sympathectomy
Surgery that interrupts a nerve pathway of the sympathetic or involuntary nervous system.

Syndesmectomy
Excision of part of a ligament.

Syngraft
A tissue or organ transplanted from one member of a species to another, genetically identical member of the species, as a kidney transplanted from one identical twin to the other. Also called "isograft, isoplastic graft, syngeneic graft" Cf. "allograft, autograft, xenograft."

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T

Tap
The withdrawal of fluid: Example" spinal tap.

Taxis
The replacing of a displaced part, or the reducing of a hernia or the like, by manipulation without cutting.

Tenaculum
A small sharp-pointed hook set in a handle, used for seizing and picking up parts in operations and dissections.

Tenorrpaphy
Suture of a tendon.

Tenotomy
The cutting of a tendon.

Tent
A roll or pledget, usually of soft absorbent material, as lint or gauze, for dilating an orifice, keeping a wound open, etc.

Therapeutic Abortion
Abortion performed when a woman’s pregnancy endangers her health.

Thermocoagulation
The coagulation of tissue by heat-producing high-frequency electric currents, used therapeutically to remove small growths or to create specific lesions in the brain.

Thoracoplasty
The operation removing selected portions of the ribs to collapse part of the underlying lung or an abnormal pleural space, usually in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Thoracostomy
The construction of an artificial opening through the chest wall, usually for the drainage of fluid or the release of an abnormal accumulation of air.

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Thoracotomy
Incision into the chest cavity.

Thrombectomy
Surgical removal of a blood clot from a blood vessel.

Thymectomy
Surgical removal of the thymus gland.

Throidectomy
Excision of all or a part of the thyroid gland.

Thyrotome
An instrument for cutting the thyroid cartilage.

Thyrotomy
Incision or splitting of the thyroid cartilage; laryngotomy. Cf. "thyroidectomy."

Tracheostomy
The construction of an artificial opening through the neck into the trachea, usually for the relief of difficulty in breathing.

Trocar
A sharp-point instrument enclosed in a cannula, used for withdrawing fluid from a cavity, as the abdominal cavity.

Tubal Ligation
A method of permanent sterilization for women, involving the surgical sealing of the fallopian tubes to prevent the ovum from passing from the ovary to the uterus.

Tuck
A plastic surgery operation: Example: a tummy tuck.

Tympanoplasty
Reconstruction of the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear.

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U

Ureterolithotomy
Incision of a ureter from removal of a calculus.

Ureterostomy
The construction of an artificial opening from the ureter through the abdominal wall or the flanks, permitting the passage of urine.

Urethrectomy
Excision or removal of part or all of the urethra.

Urethrostyomy
The construction of an artificial opening from the urethra through the perineum, permitting the passage of urine.

Urethrotomy
An operation to cut a stricture of the urethra.

Uvulectomy
Excision of the uvula.

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V

Vaginectomy
Excision of part or all of the vagina.

Vagotomy
The surgical severance of vagus nerve fibers, performed to reduce acid secretion by the stomach. Cf. "vaginal block."

Valvulotomy
The opening, slitting, or fracturing of a heart valve.

Varicocelectomy
The surgical removal or ligation of varicose veins in the scrotal sac.

Varicotomy
Surgical removal of a varicose vein.

Vasectomy
Excision of the vas deferens, or of a portion of it: performed to effect sterility in men.

Vasoligation
Ligation of the vas deferens.

Vasotomy
Incision or opening of the vas deferens.

Vasovasostomy
The reversal of a vasectomy, performed by surgical reconnection of the severed ends of the vas deferens.

Veinpuncture
The puncture of a vein for surgical or therapeutic purpose or for collection of blood specimens for analysis.

Vitrectomy
The micro-surgical procedure of removing the vitreous humor and replacing it with saline solution, performed to improve vision that has been impaired by opacities.

Vivisect
To dissect the living body of (an animal).

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W

Wadding
Any large dressing made of cotton or a similar absorbent material that is used to stanch the flow of blood or dress a wound.

X

Xenograft
A graft obtained from a member of one species and transplanted to a member of another species. Also called "heterograft." Cf. "allograft, autograft, syngraft."

Xyster
A surgical instrument fro scraping bones.

Z

Zooplasty
The transplantation of living tissue to the human body from an animal of another species.

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