craniotomy

[ krey-nee-ot-uh-mee ]

noun

, Surgery.

, plural cra·ni·ot·o·mies.

1. the operation of opening the skull, usually for operations on the brain.

craniotomy

/ ˌkreɪnɪˈɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. any surgical incision into the skull, esp to expose the brain for neurosurgery
2. the surgical crushing of a fetal skull to extract a dead fetus

craniotomy

/ krā′nē-ŏt′ə-mē /

1. Surgical incision into the skull.

Word History and Origins

Origin of craniotomy¹

First recorded in 1850–55; cranio- + -tomy

Example Sentences

I received a phone call from the emergency room asking us to set up for a craniotomy.

From Project Gutenberg

In the craniotomy case the child is not a materially or formally unjust aggressor, it is not doing anything at all.

From Project Gutenberg

May John, a physician, cut away Peter by craniotomy and so save Ann's life?

From Project Gutenberg

Craniotomy on a living child is never to be considered under any circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

If it is dead and the head is developed, craniotomy should be done to hasten extraction.

From Project Gutenberg