-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize

(Greek: a suffix; cut, excise, surgical removal of)

meatomastoidectomy (s) (noun), meatomastoidectomies (pl)
An incision of the mastoid process to enlarge the passage in the nipple-shaped mastoid portion of the temporal bone that extends downward and forward behind the external auditory meatus (opening).

The auditory, or acoustic, meatomastoidectomies consists of two passages in the ear; the external acoustic meatus leads from the auricle to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the internal acoustic meatus which is for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.

meckelectomy
medullectomy
1. Excision of a medulla; such as, the adrenal medulla.
2. Surgical removal of a medullary substance or part.
membranectomy
meniscectomy (s) (noun), meniscectomies (p)
A surgical procedure during which the whole or a part of a cartilage disk is removed from a joint: Meniscectomy is almost always performed on a knee, or the knees.

A meniscectomy is performed when a meniscus, or connective tissue, has been badly damaged, usually as a result of an injury which causes the knee, or knees, to lock or to give way repeatedly.

Removing the damaged part of the structural component with a meniscectomy can cure the symptoms of the injury; however, it can also increase the likelihood of premature osteoarthritis; so, the operation is avoided whenever it is possible.

mesenterectomy
A surgical operation which results in the resection of the mesentery or a membrane that supports an organ or body part; especially, the double-layered membrane of the peritoneum attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity that supports the small intestine.

The peritoneum is the smooth transparent membrane that lines the abdomen and doubles back over the surfaces of the internal organs to form a continuous container or sac.

mesofauna (s) (noun), mesofaunas (pl)
The organism size category between tiny animals and large animals which includes such ground-dwelling creatures as mites, some insects, and their larvae, and springtails (any of numerous minute wingless primitive insects possessing a special abdominal appendage that act as springs to catapult them through the air and presents a nearly perpetual springing pattern; found in soil rich in organic debris or on the surface of snow or water).
metacarpectomy
metastasectomy (meh TAS tuh SEK toh mee)
Surgery to remove one or more tumors formed from cells that have spread from the primary cancerous growth: When all metastases are removed, it is called a complete metastasectomy.
metatarsectomy
metrectomy
microdiscectomy
microductectomy
A very small, minor surgery in which a single duct is removed from the breast.

Usually it's done in the case of a ductal papilloma, most of which are benign, but which can occasionally be malignant.

The surgery involves a very small incision, often made where it won't show, and removal of very little tissue.

microlaminectomy
modified radical mastectomy
Removal of the breast tissue and the axillary lymph nodes, which are under the arms.

Related cutting-word units: cast-; castrat-; -cise, -cide; mutil-; put-; sec-, seg-; temno-; -tomy; trunc-.

-Ectomy Word-Sources of Definitions