Enucleation (/ɪˌnjuːkliˈeɪʃən/) refers to a surgical procedure to remove an entire organ or structure. The word is spelled "enucleation" because "en-" means "out" or "remove," "u-" represents the "yoo" sound, "cle" sounds like "klee," and "-ation" is a suffix indicating an action or process. Thus, "enucleation" literally means the act of removing something completely, such as a tumor or an eye. The correct spelling and pronunciation of this term are crucial as it directly impacts medical procedures and communication within the healthcare community.
Enucleation is a medical term that refers to the surgical removal or extraction of a whole organ or tumor within a specific anatomical structure. It involves the complete removal of an organ or tissue structure while preserving the integrity of the surrounding structures. Enucleation can be performed on various organs or tissues, including the eye, kidney, thyroid gland, or even tumors located within the breast, prostate, or liver.
The procedure of enucleation typically involves a series of incisions made in the surrounding tissues to access the targeted organ or tumor. By carefully separating the organ or tumor from its surrounding structures, it can be fully removed without causing significant damage or disruption to other critical body parts. The enucleation method is often preferred when it is crucial to maintain the outer integrity of the organ or its role in supporting the surrounding structures.
Enucleation is commonly performed to treat conditions such as eye tumors, benign or malignant growths in the kidney or thyroid gland, and some types of cancerous tumors in various parts of the body. This surgical technique aims to eliminate the affected organ or tumor completely, mitigating the risk of recurrence and improving patient outcomes. However, as with any surgical procedure, enucleation carries potential risks and complications, and it requires skilled medical professionals with expertise in the respective field to ensure successful outcomes.
1. The removal of a tumor or other body (such as the eyeball) entire, without rupture, as one shells out the kernel of a nut. 2. The removal or destruction of the nucleus of a cell.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "enucleation" comes from the Latin word "enucleare", which can be broken down into two parts: "e" meaning "out" and "nucleus" meaning "kernel" or "core". So "enucleare" essentially means "to take out the core" or "to remove the core". In modern usage, enucleation refers to the surgical removal of a tumor or an entire organ, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.