tracheostomy

[trey-kee-os-tuh-mee]

noun

Surgery.

plural

tracheostomies 

1. the construction of an artificial opening through the neck into the trachea, usually for the relief of difficulty in breathing.

2. the opening so constructed.

tracheostomy

/ ˌtrækɪˈɒstəmɪ /

noun

1. the surgical formation of a temporary or permanent opening into the trachea following tracheotomy

tracheostomy

1. Surgical construction of an opening in the trachea, usually by making an incision in the front of the neck, for the insertion of a catheter or tube to facilitate breathing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tracheostomy¹

First recorded in 1920–25; tracheo- + -stomy

Example Sentences

Doctors in Gaza saved his life and Majid spent months in hospital, breathing through a tracheostomy tube, before he was evacuated to Egypt in February this year - with Israel's permission - for further medical treatment.

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He said Mr Coles should have been fitted with a tracheostomy to help him breathe.

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At two months old, he had his first major surgery, a tracheostomy - a hole in his windpipe to give him an alternative airway for breathing.

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A few months earlier, autopsy records show, a man with a history of suicide attempts tried to kill himself by removing his tracheostomy tube and stuffing Q-Tips into his airway.

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After an emergency tracheostomy operation, he was unable to breathe without the iron lung machine that now encased his small body.

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