Ureteronephrectomy is a medical term referring to the surgical removal of a kidney, along with the attached ureter. The word consists of several phonemes, such as /jʊrətər o nɛfrɛktəmi/. The first syllable is pronounced as "yoo-rə-ter" and refers to the ureter, while the second part "ne-phre-ctomy" refers to the surgical procedure involving the removal of a kidney. The long, complex spelling of this word can be challenging for non-medical professionals and requires careful pronunciation to avoid errors.
Ureteronephrectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of both the ureter and the kidney. It is typically performed as a treatment option for various medical conditions affecting the urinary system, such as kidney cancer, severe kidney damage or dysfunction, or advanced urinary tract infections.
During a ureteronephrectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal area to access the affected kidney and ureter. The ureter, which is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, is disconnected from the kidney and carefully detached from the bladder. In cases of kidney cancer, surrounding tissues or lymph nodes may also be removed to ensure removal of all cancer cells. Finally, the kidney is separated from its blood vessels and removed from the body.
Ureteronephrectomy is considered a major surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia. Recovery time can vary depending on the patient's overall health and the reason for the procedure but typically involves a hospital stay and post-operative care, including pain management and monitoring of kidney function.
Although ureteronephrectomy involves the removal of an essential organ, the remaining healthy kidney often compensates for its absence and allows patients to continue normal kidney function and urine production.
Removal of a kidney with its ureter.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ureteronephrectomy" is derived from several Greek and Latin roots. Here is a breakdown of each component:
1. Uretero-: This prefix comes from the Latin word "ureter", which refers to the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
2. Nephro-: This prefix is derived from the Greek word "nephros", which means kidney.
3. -ectomy: This suffix comes from the Greek word "ektomē", which means excision or removal.
Therefore, "ureteronephrectomy" is a combination of "uretero" (relating to the ureter), "nephro" (relating to the kidney), and "ectomy" (the process of removal), indicating the surgical removal of both the ureter and the kidney.