EXOTHYMOPEXY Meaning and
Definition
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Exothymopexy is a medical term that refers to a surgical procedure in which the thymus gland is externally fixed or repositioned. The thymus gland is a small organ located in the upper chest behind the breastbone and is an essential part of the immune system, especially during childhood.
During an exothymopexy, the thymus gland is usually attached or suspended to nearby structures using surgical sutures or other fixation techniques. The purpose of this procedure can vary depending on the specific case and medical condition of the patient.
Exothymopexy may be performed for various reasons. In some cases, it can be done to treat a disorder called myasthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune condition characterized by weakness and fatigue of voluntary muscles. By repositioning the thymus gland, it is believed that the immune response against self-tissues may be altered, potentially improving the symptoms of the disease.
Additionally, exothymopexy may be performed to access the thymus gland in cases where biopsy or removal of the gland is necessary for diagnostic purposes or treatment of other conditions, such as thymic tumors or hyperplasia.
Overall, exothymopexy is a surgical procedure aimed at repositioning or fixing the thymus gland, often with the intention of improving immune-related disorders or accessing the gland for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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An operation similar to exothyreopexy performed on the enlarged thymus gland.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EXOTHYMOPEXY
- wxothymopexy
- sxothymopexy
- dxothymopexy
- rxothymopexy
- 4xothymopexy
- 3xothymopexy
- ezothymopexy
- ecothymopexy
- edothymopexy
- esothymopexy
- exithymopexy
- exkthymopexy
- exlthymopexy
- expthymopexy
- ex0thymopexy
- ex9thymopexy
- exorhymopexy
- exofhymopexy
- exoghymopexy
- exoyhymopexy
Etymology of EXOTHYMOPEXY
The word "exothymopexy" is a medical term that does not have a clear etymology. It is a compound word consisting of three parts:
1. "Exo-" is a prefix of Greek origin meaning "outside" or "external".
2. "Thymo-" is derived from the Greek word "thymos", which means "thyme" or "heart". In medical terminology, the term "thymo-" is often associated with the thymus gland, an organ located in the chest that plays a role in immune function.
3. "-pexy" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "pexis", which means "fixation" or "surgical attachment".
Therefore, "exothymopexy" can be understood as a surgical procedure that involves the external attachment or fixation of the thymus gland.
