The word "clidotomy" is not commonly used in everyday language, but it refers to a surgical procedure to cut the symphysis pubis during childbirth. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /klɪˈdɒtəmi/, which indicates the stress on the second syllable and the pronunciation of the letter "c" as a hard "k" sound. The "dotomy" suffix indicates a surgical incision, while the root "clido" comes from the Greek word for "key", possibly referencing the use of a surgical instrument resembling a key in this procedure.
Clidotomy is a medical procedure involving the surgical incision or cutting of the clitoris. The clitoris is a small, highly sensitive organ located at the front of the vulva, and it plays a primary role in sexual arousal and pleasure in people assigned female at birth. Clidotomy is a term derived from Greek, where "clido" means "clitoris" and "tomy" refers to a surgical cutting procedure.
Clidotomy can be performed for various reasons, including medical conditions such as clitoromegaly (abnormally enlarged clitoris) or to treat genital trauma. In some cases, clidotomy may also be performed as part of gender-confirming surgery or for cultural or religious practices. However, the procedure is highly controversial and often considered a violation of human rights.
Opponents argue that clidotomy is a form of female genital mutilation (FGM) and a severe violation of a person’s bodily autonomy and sexual rights. They stress the importance of informed consent and the need for alternative, less invasive treatments for medical conditions. Due to the controversy and ethical concerns surrounding clidotomy, it is prohibited and deemed illegal in many countries.
It is essential to differentiate clidotomy from other genital alteration procedures. While clidotomy primarily focuses on the clitoris, procedures like labiaplasty involve alterations to the labia minora or majora. Medical professionals and activists advocate for education, awareness, and legislation to protect the rights and bodily integrity of individuals affected by clidotomy.
Division of the clavicles to reduce the width of the shoulders of the fetus in certain cases of dystocia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "clidotomy" is derived from two Greek roots: "klidos", meaning "keyhole" or "opening", and "tomē", meaning "cutting" or "incision". Therefore, the etymology of "clidotomy" suggests a surgical procedure involving an incision or cutting through a small opening or keyhole.