How Do You Spell CRANIECTOMY?

Pronunciation: [kɹanˈa͡ɪktəmɪ] (IPA)

The word "craniectomy," which is a type of surgical procedure, is spelled with a "c-r-a-n-i-e-c-t-o-m-y" with a phonetic transcription of /krəˈnaɪɪktəmi/. The word is composed of two roots, "crani-" which means "relating to the skull" and "-ectomy" which means "removal of." Thus, "craniectomy" refers to the surgical removal of part of the skull. The word is commonly used in medical contexts and is important to spell correctly in order to avoid confusion or errors in communication.

CRANIECTOMY Meaning and Definition

1. Craniectomy is a medical term that refers to a surgical procedure involving the removal of a portion of the skull, commonly known as a bone flap. During a craniectomy, a surgical team carefully creates an incision in the scalp and carefully lifts the scalp to expose the skull bone. Subsequently, a specific section of the skull, usually a circular or rectangular piece, is meticulously removed using specialized tools.

   Typically, craniectomies are performed with specific therapeutic intent, aiming to relieve pressure and swelling inside the skull that may be caused by traumatic brain injuries, cerebral hemorrhages, strokes, or brain tumors. By removing a portion of the skull, craniectomy allows the brain to expand outward, alleviating the build-up of intracranial pressure and preventing potential life-threatening damage to the brain tissue.

   Once the primary cause of the cranial swelling has been resolved or subsided, the bone flap may be either reattached using wires, plates, or screws, or placed temporarily in a subcutaneous pocket for future re-implantation. The specific reattachment method is determined based on the circumstances surrounding the craniectomy, the patient's overall health, and the surgeon's preferences.

   Craniectomy is an intricate surgical procedure that requires a skilled team of neurosurgeons, careful consideration of the patient's condition, and adherence to strict safety protocols. It is crucial to monitor the patient closely after the surgery to ensure proper recovery and the prevention of potential complications such as infection, postoperative bleeding, or brain herniation.

2. Exsection of a portion of the skull.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CRANIECTOMY

• cranioectomy
• craaniectomy
• Craniacotomy
• cranipectomy
• craniatomy
• Craniostomy
• Radiectomy

Etymology of CRANIECTOMY

The word "craniectomy" is derived from two Latin roots:

1. "Cranium" comes from the Latin word "crānium", meaning skull.

2. "Ectomy" is derived from the Greek word "ektomḗ", meaning removal.

Therefore, "craniectomy" refers to the surgical procedure of removing a part of the skull.

Plural form of CRANIECTOMY is CRANIECTOMIES