How Do You Spell CORDOTOMY?

Pronunciation: [kɔːdˈɒtəmɪ] (IPA)

Cordotomy is a medical procedure that involves cutting certain nerves in the spinal cord to alleviate pain. This word is spelled phonetically as /kɔ:ˈdɒtəmi/. The first syllable of the word is pronounced with an open "o" sound, followed by a stressed "d" sound. The second syllable has a short "o" sound, and the final syllable ends with an "i" sound. The spelling of Cordotomy is derived from its Greek roots, where "kordos" refers to the spinal cord and "-tomy" means to cut.

CORDOTOMY Meaning and Definition

1. Cordotomy refers to a surgical procedure carried out with the aim of relieving severe chronic pain by selectively damaging certain nerves within the spinal cord. This intervention is typically recommended when other methods of pain management have proven to be ineffective. Cordotomy involves the deliberate creation of a lesion in specific pain-transmitting pathways within the spinal cord to interrupt the transmission of pain signals and subsequently alleviate the patient's suffering.

   The procedure can be performed through different techniques, including percutaneous cordotomy and open cordotomy. In percutaneous cordotomy, a thin needle-like electrode is inserted into the spinal cord under local anesthesia, and a high-frequency electrical current is applied to damage the targeted pain-transmitting nerves. Open cordotomy, on the other hand, requires surgical exposure of the spine before reaching the painful area. Cordotomy is usually conducted under general anesthesia, and the specific method chosen depends on the patient's condition and the location of the pain.

   Cordotomy has been found particularly effective in managing pain caused by incurable conditions such as cancer or neurological disorders. By selectively disrupting pain pathways in the spinal cord, cordotomy can significantly reduce or eliminate sensations of pain while preserving other sensory and motor functions.

   It is important to note, however, that cordotomy is a surgical intervention with potential risks and complications, including infection, bleeding, and sensory or motor deficits. Therefore, careful patient evaluation, thorough consideration, and consultation with a medical professional are crucial before undertaking such a procedure.

Common Misspellings for CORDOTOMY

• cordotomu

Etymology of CORDOTOMY

The word "cordotomy" is derived from two Latin roots: "cordis", meaning "heart", and "tomos", meaning "cutting" or "slice". So, etymologically, cordotomy means "cutting of the heart". However, in medical terminology, the term "cordotomy" refers to a surgical procedure that involves cutting specific nerve fibers within the spinal cord, often to relieve pain.