The surgical removal of the uterus through an incision made in the abdominal wall: When an abdominal hysterectomy is performed, a transverse incision is accomplished by penetration near the pelvis area, which is comparable to the incision for a caesarean section.

As opposed to an abdominal hysterectomy, a vaginal hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus through a surgical incision within the vagina. With a vaginal hysterectomy, the scar from the procedure is not outwardly visible.