-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize

The excision of a portion of an artery.

Excision of part of an artery.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body which has its origin at the heart. It gives off branches to the extremities, neck, and the major organs of the body for the purpose of supplying oxygenated blood.

1. The surgical interruption of a nerve pathway in the sympathetic nervous system.
2. Periarterial sympathectomy or the surgical interruption of a pathway in the sympathetic nervous system by cutting out a nerve segment.

The excision or surgical operation to remove a bone structure: Years ago, many arthrectomies were performed without anesthesias or painkillers, the doctor giving the patient a piece of wood to bite on while the connection between certain bones was being removed.

Excision of an arytenoid cartilage (a reference to specific muscles of the larynx), usually in bilateral vocal fold paralysis, to improve breathing.

Removal of the astragalus, or the talus (the ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle).

1. The removal of plaque from an artery by means of a tiny rotating cutting blade inserted through a catheter.
2. A procedure for opening up an artery by removing the plaque (atheroma) produced by the build-up of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the inner lining of the artery from atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries.

"Atherectomy is usually done in major arteries; such as, the coronary arteries within the heart muscle and the carotid and vertebral arteries leading up to the head and brain that have experienced the occlusive effects of atherosclerosis."

The complete destruction of a kidney by a disease process.

The almost complete disappearance of the spleen through progressive fibrosis and shrinkage; such as, that which may occur in sickle cell anemia.

A permanent peripheral arterial dilatation resulting from the destruction of sympathetic nerve functions by an endogenous process: Autosympathectomy is the neuropathy that accompanies diabetes mellitus.

Excision of all or part of an eyelid.

Excision of some of the fibers of the orbicularis muscle, together with overlying skin, to relieve pressure of the eyelid on the cornea in blepharospasm.

The surgical removal of a bulla; especially, of an emphysematous bulla of the lung.

Bunion removal which is the surgical treatment of a deformity of the bones of the big toe and foot (bunion).

A bunion is a painful deformity of the bones and joint between the foot and the big toe. Long-term irritation (chronic inflammation) caused by poorly fitting and/or high-heeled shoes, arthritis, or heredity causes the joint to thicken and enlarge.

Such thickening and enlargement causes the big toe to angle in toward and over the second toe, the foot bone (metatarsal) to angle out toward the other foot, and the skin to thicken (callus formation).

Surgical removal of a bunion is usually done while the patient is under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free) and rarely requires a hospital stay.

An incision is made along the bones of the big toe into the foot. The deformed joint and bones are repaired, and the bones are stabilized with a pin and/or cast.

Surgical removal of a bursa.

A bursa is a tissue space (fibrous sac) that is lined with synovial membrane (joint tissue) and contains a small quantity of synovial fluid (joint fluid).

Bursas are found in between the tendons and the bones, skin, and bone and muscles. They function to facilitate fluid movement.