The word "sclerectomy" is spelled as /sklɛrɛktəmi/. The first syllable "scler" reflects the Greek root meaning "hard," while "ectomy" refers to surgical removal. Therefore, "sclerectomy" is a surgical procedure to remove hardened tissue, particularly in the eye. The spelling of this medical term could potentially be challenging for non-native speakers of English, as it has multiple consonant clusters and an unstressed third syllable. However, following the IPA phonetic transcription can aid in its proper pronunciation.
Sclerectomy is a medical procedure performed in ophthalmology to treat glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure within the eye that can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss. It involves the surgical removal or excision of a small portion of the sclera, which is the tough outer layer of the eye, in order to facilitate drainage of the aqueous humor, the fluid responsible for maintaining intraocular pressure.
During a sclerectomy, a small incision is made in the sclera near the cornea. The surgeon then carefully excises a portion of the scleral tissue and underlying tissue layers to create a channel or opening through which the aqueous humor can flow out of the eye. By creating this new drainage pathway, the procedure aims to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
Sclerectomy is typically performed in cases where standard treatment options for glaucoma, such as medication or laser therapy, have been ineffective in controlling intraocular pressure. It is often used as an alternative to more invasive glaucoma surgeries such as trabeculectomy.
Overall, sclerectomy is a surgical procedure that aims to alleviate the increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma by removing a small portion of the sclera, thereby improving the drainage of aqueous humor from the eye.
1. Excision of a portion of the sclera. 2. Removal of the fibrous adhesions formed in chronic otitis media.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sclerectomy" is derived from the combination of two ancient Greek roots: "sclero" and "ektomē".
- "Sclero" (σκληρός) comes from the Greek word "skleros", meaning hard or tough.
- "Ektomē" (ἐκτομή) originates from "ektome", which means excision or surgical removal.
When these two roots are combined, "sclerectomy" refers to a surgical procedure that involves the removal or excision of a part of the sclera, which is the tough outer layer of the eye.