SYMPATHECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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Sympathectomy is a medical procedure that involves the surgical removal or interruption of a part of the sympathetic nervous system, specifically the ganglia or nerve fibers that transmit signals to various organs and tissues of the body.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, helping to regulate various bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. However, in some circumstances, the sympathetic nervous system can become overactive and lead to conditions such as excessive sweating, chronic pain, or vascular disorders.
A sympathectomy is performed to alleviate these conditions by selectively disrupting or blocking the signals carried by the sympathetic nerves. This can be achieved through different methods, including chemical or surgical techniques. Chemical sympathectomy involves injecting a neurolytic agent, such as alcohol or phenol, to permanently damage the sympathetic nerves, while surgical sympathectomy involves the removal or cutting of specific nerve fibers or ganglia.
Sympathectomy can be performed for various reasons, such as treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), Raynaud's disease, chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome, or conditions that cause abnormal constriction of blood vessels. It is generally considered a safe procedure, but like any surgical intervention, it carries certain risks, including infection, nerve damage, or compensatory sweating in other areas of the body.
In summary, sympathectomy is a medical procedure aimed at interrupting the signals transmitted by the sympathetic nervous system to alleviate certain conditions caused by the overactivity of this system.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SYMPATHECTOMY
- aympathectomy
- zympathectomy
- xympathectomy
- dympathectomy
- eympathectomy
- wympathectomy
- stmpathectomy
- sgmpathectomy
- shmpathectomy
- sumpathectomy
- s7mpathectomy
- s6mpathectomy
- synpathectomy
- sykpathectomy
- syjpathectomy
- symoathectomy
- symlathectomy
- sym-athectomy
- sym0athectomy
Etymology of SYMPATHECTOMY
The word "sympathectomy" has its roots in two different parts: "sympathetic" and "ectomy".
1. "Sympathetic" comes from the Greek word "sympatheia", meaning "to feel with, to sympathize", which is a combination of "syn" (together) and "pathos" (feeling, suffering). The term was first used in the medical context by Galen, a Greek physician in the 2nd century, referring to the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for involuntary bodily functions.
2. "Ectomy" is derived from the Greek word "ektomē", which means "excision" or "removal". It is often used as a suffix in medical terminology to describe surgical procedures involving excision or removal of a specific part of the body.
Similar spelling words for SYMPATHECTOMY
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