TONSILLECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
-
Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the tonsils, which are a pair of oval-shaped tissue masses located in the back of the throat. The process is primarily carried out to prevent or treat recurrent infections of the tonsils, called tonsillitis, or to address other medical conditions related to these throat structures.
During a tonsillectomy, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, ensuring a painless procedure. The surgeon uses specialized instruments to completely excise the tonsils, taking care to minimize any damage to surrounding tissues. Once the removal is complete, any bleeding is controlled, and the surgical site is usually cauterized or stitched to assist in the healing process. The entire surgery typically lasts around 30 minutes to an hour, and patients are carefully monitored throughout the recovery period.
Tonsillectomy can provide relief from chronic tonsillitis, which often leads to symptoms such as recurring sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and persistent bad breath. Additionally, the procedure may also be recommended for addressing sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to obstruction in the airway.
Though tonsillectomy is considered a safe and common surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications involved, such as bleeding, infection, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and temporary changes in voice or taste perception. Recovery time varies from person to person, but typically involves discomfort, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing for a week or two, followed by a gradual return to normal activities. Close follow-up with the surgeon or healthcare provider is important to monitor the healing progress and address any concerns that may arise.
-
Amygdalectomy; removal of the entire tonsil.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Top Common Misspellings for TONSILLECTOMY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for TONSILLECTOMY
Etymology of TONSILLECTOMY
The word "tonsillectomy" is derived from a combination of three Latin and Greek roots.
The first root is "tonsil", which comes from the Latin word "tonsilla", meaning "a small lump or a little ball".
The second root is "ectom", which is derived from the Greek word "ektomē", meaning "a cutting out or removal".
Finally, the word ending "y" is added, which indicates a surgical procedure.
So, "tonsillectomy" literally means the surgical removal or excision of the tonsils.
Similar spelling word for TONSILLECTOMY
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
