The surgical terminology suffix ''-ectomy'' was taken from Greek εκ-τομια = "act of cutting out". It means surgical removal of something, usually from inside the body.

A

Adenectomy Adenectomy () is a surgical removal of all or part of a gland.Mosby's Medical Dictionary See also * List of surgeries by type Many Surgery, surgical procedure names can be broken into parts to indicate the meaning. For example, in gastrectomy ...

is the surgical removal of a

gland A gland is a Cell (biology), cell or an Organ (biology), organ in an animal's body that produces and secretes different substances that the organism needs, either into the bloodstream or into a body cavity or outer surface. A gland may also funct ...

. *

Adenoidectomy Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoid for reasons which include impaired breathing through the nose, chronic infections, or recurrent earaches. The effectiveness of removing the adenoids in children to improve recurrent nasal sympt ...

is the surgical removal of the

adenoid In anatomy, the pharyngeal tonsil, also known as the nasopharyngeal tonsil or adenoid, is the superior-most of the tonsils. It is a mass of lymphoid tissue located behind the nasal cavity, in the roof and the posterior wall of the nasopharyn ...

s, also known as the pharyngeal tonsils. *

Adrenalectomy Adrenalectomy (Latin root wikt:ad#Latin, Ad "near/at" + wikt:renal#English, renal "related to the kidneys" + Greek ''List of -ectomies, ‑ectomy'' “out-cutting”; sometimes written as ADX for the procedure or resulting state) is the surgical r ...

is the removal of one or both

adrenal glands The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. Each gland has an outer cortex which ...

. * Aneurysmectomy is the resection or removal of an

aneurysm An aneurysm is an outward :wikt:bulge, bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also b ...

. *

Apicoectomy A root end surgery, also known as apicoectomy ('' apico-'' + ''-ectomy''), apicectomy ('' apic-'' + ''-ectomy''), retrograde root canal treatment (''cf.'' orthograde root canal treatment) or root-end filling, is an endodontic surgical procedure w ...

is the surgical removal of tooth's root tip. *

Appendectomy An appendectomy (American English) or appendicectomy (British English) is a Surgery, surgical operation in which the vermiform appendix (a portion of the intestine) is removed. Appendectomy is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedur ...

is the surgical removal of the

appendix Appendix (: appendices or appendixes) may refer to: __NOTOC__ In documents * Addendum, an addition made to a document by its author after its initial printing or publication * Bibliography, a systematic list of books and other works * Index (publis ...

; it is also known as an appendicectomy. * Arthrectomy is the removal of a joint of the body. *

Atherectomy Atherectomy is a minimally invasive technique for removing atherosclerosis from blood vessels within the body. It is an alternative to angioplasty for the treatment of peripheral artery disease, but the studies that exist are not adequate to deter ...

is a removal of atherosclerosis. * Auriculectomy is the removal of the

ear In vertebrates, an ear is the organ that enables hearing and (in mammals) body balance using the vestibular system. In humans, the ear is described as having three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear co ...

B

Bullectomy Bullectomy is a surgical procedure in which dilated air-spaces or bullae in lung parenchyma are removed. Common causes of dilated air-spaces include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. Patients with giant bullae filling half the t ...

is the surgical removal of bullae from the

lung The lungs are the primary Organ (biology), organs of the respiratory system in many animals, including humans. In mammals and most other tetrapods, two lungs are located near the Vertebral column, backbone on either side of the heart. Their ...

. * Bunionectomy is the removal of a

bunion A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a deformity of the metatarsophalangeal joint, MTP joint connecting the big toe to the foot. The big toe often bends towards the other toes and the joint becomes red and painful. The onset of bunions is ...

. *

Bursectomy A bursectomy is the removal of a bursa, which is a small sac filled with synovial fluid that cushions adjacent bone structures and reduces friction in joint movement. This procedure is usually carried out to relieve chronic inflammation (bursitis ...

is the removal of a

bursa Bursa () is a city in northwestern Turkey and the administrative center of Bursa Province. The fourth-most populous city in Turkey and second-most populous in the Marmara Region, Bursa is one of the industrial centers of the country. Most of ...

, a small sac filled with synovial fluid.

C

* Cardiectomy is the removal of the cardia of the stomach. *

Cecectomy Cecectomy is a surgical procedure in which the cecum is removed partially or totally. It can be done in cases like carcinoid syndrome, primary or secondary cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal c ...

is the removal of the

cecum The cecum ( caecum, ; plural ceca or caeca, ) is a pouch within the peritoneum that is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is typically located on the right side of the body (the same side of the body as the appendix (a ...

. * Cephalectomy is the surgical removal of the

head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple ani ...

(

decapitation Decapitation is the total separation of the head from the body. Such an injury is invariably fatal to humans and all vertebrate animals, since it deprives the brain of oxygenated blood by way of severing through the jugular vein and common c ...

). *

Cervicectomy In gynecologic oncology, trachelectomy, also called cervicectomy, is a surgical removal of the uterine cervix. As the uterine body is preserved, this type of surgery is a fertility preserving surgical alternative to a radical hysterectomy and ap ...

is the removal of the

cervix The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...

. *

Cholecystectomy Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is a common treatment of symptomatic gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. In 2011, cholecystectomy was the eighth most common operating room procedure performed i ...

is the surgical removal of the

gallbladder In vertebrates, the gallbladder, also known as the cholecyst, is a small hollow Organ (anatomy), organ where bile is stored and concentrated before it is released into the small intestine. In humans, the pear-shaped gallbladder lies beneath t ...

. * Choroidectomy is the removal of the

choroid The choroid, also known as the choroidea or choroid coat, is a part of the uvea, the vascular layer of the eye. It contains connective tissues, and lies between the retina and the sclera. The human choroid is thickest at the far extreme rear o ...

layer of the eye. *

Clitoridectomy Clitoridectomy or clitorectomy is the surgical removal, reduction, or partial removal of the clitoris. It is rarely used as a therapeutic medical procedure, such as when cancer has developed in or spread to the clitoris. Commonly, non-medical rem ...

is the partial or total removal of the external part of the

clitoris In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...

. *

Colectomy Colectomy (''wikt:colo-#Prefix, col-'' + ''wikt:-ectomy#Suffix, -ectomy'') is the surgical removal of any extent of the Large intestine#Structure, colon, the longest portion of the large bowel. Colectomy may be performed for prophylactic, curativ ...

is the removal of the Colon (anatomy), colon. *Craniectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the cranium. *Cystectomy is the removal of the urinary bladder. It also means removal of a cyst. *Corpectomy is the removal of a vertebral body as well as the adjacent inter-vertebral discs.

D

*Discectomy is a surgical procedure involving the dissection of an extravasted segment of the intervertebral disc. *Diverticulectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a diverticulum. *Duodenectomy is the removal of the duodenum.

E

*Embolectomy is the removal of any type of embolism. *Encephalectomy is the removal of the brain. *Endarterectomy is the removal of Atheromatous plaque, plaque from the lining of the artery otherwise constricted by a buildup of fatty deposits. *Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is the burning, severing, removing or clamping parts of the Sympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nerve trunk. *Esophagectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the esophagus. *Extrapleural pneumonectomy is the removal of the entire

along with the pleura, the lung lining and part of the pericardium, the lining of the heart.

F

*Frenectomy is the removal of a frenulum. *Fundectomy is the removal of the wikt:fundus, fundus of an organ, such as the uterus or the stomach.

G

*Ganglionectomy is the excision of a ganglion. *Gastrectomy is the partial or full removal of the stomach. *Gingivectomy is the removal of gums. *Glossectomy is the removal of part or all of the tongue. *Gonadectomy is the removal of the gonads.

H

*Hemicolectomy is the removal of half the Colon (anatomy), colon or the large intestine. *Hemicorporectomy is the surgical amputation of the entire body below the waist, including the Human leg, legs, genitalia, urinary system, Pelvis, pelvic bones, Human anus, anus, and rectum. *Hemilaminectomy is the surgical trimming or partial removal of the Lamina of the vertebral arch, lamina portion of a spinal vertebra. *Hemipelvectomy is the surgical removal of half of the pelvis and one of the legs. There are two types of the operation, first being an internal hemipelvectomy in which the pelvis on the one side is removed but the leg is saved. The second type of operation being an external hemipelvectomy, which removes the pelvis on the one side along with the amputation of that leg. *Hemispherectomy is the surgical removal of one cerebral hemisphere. *Hemorrhoidectomy is removal of a hemorrhoid. *Hepatectomy is the surgical resection of the liver. *Hypophysectomy is the surgical removal of the pituitary gland or Pituitary gland, hypophysis such as when presented with a tumor. *Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus.

I

*Iridectomy is the removal of a piece of Iris (anatomy), iris from the eye (mainly done for iris tumours, such as melanoma of the iris).

J

*Jejunectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the jejunum.

K

*Keratectomy is the surgical removal of the cornea of the eye. *Kyphectomy is a specific surgery on the spine.

L

*Laminectomy is the trimming or surgical removal of the Lamina of the vertebral arch, lamina, portion of the spinal vertebrae. *Laryngectomy is the surgical removal of the larynx, which involves separating the airway from the mouth, Human nose, nose and esophagus. *Lobectomy is the removal of a Lobe (anatomy), lobe. *Lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a lump from a breast. *Lymphadenectomy consists of the surgical removal of one or more groups of lymph nodes.

M

*Mandibulectomy is the removal of the mandible or the lower jaw bone. *Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts. A mastectomy can be either partial or complete. *Mastoidectomy is the removal of mastoid process. *Maxillectomy is the removal of the maxilla or cheekbone. This can sometimes be done with orbital exenteration (removal of the eye and the orbital contents surrounding the eye) or by enucleation (removal of the eyeball). *Meniscectomy surgical removal of all or part of a torn Meniscus (anatomy), meniscus, which is a common knee joint injury. Partial meniscectomy is preferred by surgeons over total meniscectomy. *Mucosectomy is the removal of a mucosa. *Myectomy is the removal of a portion of muscle. *Myomectomy is the removal of Uterine fibroid, fibroids from the uterus, but the uterus is left intact.

N

*Necrosectomy is the removal of dead tissue. *Nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney. *Neurectomy is the removal of a nerve.

O

*Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the Ovary, ovaries, also called Spaying and neutering, spaying. *Orchiectomy is the surgical removal of the testicles, also called orchidectomy, castration, or neutering. *Ostectomy is the surgical removal of bone. *Operculectomy is the surgical removal of the gum flaps that cover erupted wisdom teeth.

P

*Pancreatectomy is the removal of part or all of the pancreas. If the whole of the pancreas is removed, the person will become diabetic. *Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the surgical removal involving the pancreas and the duodenum. *Panniculectomy is the removal of a panniculus, which is a dense layer of fatty tissue growth consisting of subcutaneous fat in the lower abdominal area. *Parathyroidectomy is the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. *Penectomy is the partial or complete removal of the Human penis, penis. Also known as a pendectomy. *Pericardiectomy is the partial or complete removal of the pericardial sac around the heart. *Pharyngectomy is the removal of the pharynx (also called the throat). *Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy is the surgical removal of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus, usually as a result of cancer of the hypopharynx. *Photorefractive keratectomy is the alteration of the cornea by means of a laser. *Pinealectomy is the surgical removal of the pineal gland, used often on birds to study circadian rhythms. *Pneumonectomy is the surgical removal of a

. *Polypectomy is the surgical removal of an abnormal growth of tissue known as a Polyp (medicine), polyp. *Circumcision, Posthectomy, more commonly known as circumcision, is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. This is also known as a prepucectomy, as the medical term for the foreskin is the ''prepuce''. *Proctocolectomy is the removal of the Colon (anatomy), colon or the large intestine and the rectum. *Prostatectomy is the removal of the prostate gland. This may be either all of the gland, which is known as a radical prostatectomy, or just a part of the prostate, which is called a transurethral resection of the prostate. *Pulpectomy is the removal of all the material in the pulp chamber and root canal of a tooth.

Q

*Quadrantectomy is a surgical procedure in which Circular sector, quadrant (approximately one-fourth) of the breast, including tissue surrounding a cancerous tumor, is removed.

R

*Rhinectomy is the removal of part or all of the Human nose, nose.

S

*Salpingectomy is the removal of the fallopian tubes. *Oophorectomy, Salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the ovary and the fallopian tube together, when both left and right tubes and ovaries are removed, this is referred to as a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. *Scaphoidectomy *Septectomy is the removal of a septum. *Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. Autosplenectomy is where certain diseases destroy the spleen's function. *Stapedectomy is the removal of ossified stapes from the ear that are then replaced by a prosthesis. *Sympathectomy is the cutting of the nerves. *Synovectomy is the removal of the synovial membrane of a synovial joint.

T

*Thrombectomy is the removal of thrombi (blood clots). *Thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland. *Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. *Tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils. *Trabeculectomy is the removal of part of the eye's trabecular meshwork as a treatment for glaucoma. *Tumorectomy is the surgical removal of a tumor. *Turbinectomy is the removal of the turbinate bones in the nasal passage. *Tympanectomy is the removal of the eardrum. * Tubectomy in this, a small part of the fallopian tube/oviduct/uterine tube/salpinx is removed or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through vagina/birth canal.

U

*Uretectomy is the removal of the ureter. *Uvulectomy is the removal of the uvula.

V

*Vaginectomy is the removal of all or part of the vagina. *Vasectomy is the surgical occlusion of the vas deferens, tubes that connect to the male testes and transport Spermatozoon, sperm, a procedure for the purposes of sterilization in males. *Vesiculectomy is the removal of all or part of the seminal vesicle. *Vitrectomy is the removal of some or all of the vitreous humor from the eye. *Vulvectomy is the removal of all or part of the vulva.

Other uses

Sometimes this suffix is used humorously in non-surgical contexts, for example "popculturectomy" for a type of editing process on a text.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ectomies Medical lists Surgical removal procedures