APPENDECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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Appendectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at the removal of the appendix, a small, worm-like tube attached to the large intestine. This medical intervention is typically performed in response to a condition called appendicitis, which refers to the inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is believed to have no specific function in the human body and, when it becomes obstructed or infected, it can cause significant pain and discomfort.
During an appendectomy, a surgeon makes an incision in the lower right side of the abdomen to access the appendix. The procedure may be done through traditional open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy. In open surgery, the appendix is removed directly, whereas in laparoscopy, small incisions are made and a camera and instruments are inserted to visualize and remove the appendix.
Appendectomies are considered one of the most common emergency surgeries, and prompt removal of the inflamed appendix is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening, possibly leading to a ruptured appendix. Most appendectomies are successful, and patients generally experience relief from the symptoms associated with appendicitis after surgery. Recovery time varies depending on the surgical approach used, with laparoscopy often requiring less recovery time and causing fewer complications than open surgery.
In summary, an appendectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove an inflamed appendix, typically due to appendicitis. This intervention helps alleviate pain and discomfort associated with the condition and is considered a common and effective means of treatment.
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Removal of any appendix, specifically of the vermiform appendix; scolecoidectomy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of APPENDECTOMY
The word "appendectomy" is derived from two Latin roots: "appendix" and "ēctomia".
The term "appendix" comes from the Latin word "appendix", which means "appendage" or "supplement". In the context of the human body, the appendix refers to a small, tube-shaped organ located in the lower right abdomen.
The suffix "-ēctomia" is also of Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ektomḗ", meaning "excision" or "removal". "-ḗctomia" signifies the surgical procedure of excising or removing a particular organ or tissue from the body.
Therefore, the word "appendectomy" combines the root "appendix" with the suffix "-ēctomia", referring to the surgical removal or excision of the appendix.
Similar spelling words for APPENDECTOMY
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