ECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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An "ectomy" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "ektomē," meaning excision or removal. It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a surgical removal of a specific organ or tissue from the body. The term "ectomy" is applied as a suffix to a specific word that denotes the organ or tissue being removed.
The purpose of an "ectomy" is to eliminate or treat a medical condition that is not responsive to other therapies or requires immediate intervention. The surgical procedure typically involves making an incision to access the targeted organ or tissue and using specialized instruments to excise it. Examples of medical procedures using the suffix "ectomy" include appendectomy (removal of the appendix), tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils), and mastectomy (removal of the breast).
Although "ectomy" refers exclusively to surgical interventions, it should be noted that not all surgical procedures involving the removal or excision of an organ or tissue utilize this suffix. Some specific surgical terms utilize different suffixes depending on the organ or tissue involved. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the implications of each specific term to accurately interpret a medical operative procedure.
Etymology of ECTOMY
The word "ectomy" comes from the Greek suffix "-ektomē", which means "excision" or "surgical removal". It is derived from the Greek verb "ektemnein", which means "to cut out" or "to excise". The prefix "ec-" means "out of" or "away from". Therefore, "ectomy" describes a surgical operation in which a specific organ or tissue is excised or removed.
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