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craniotomy

American  
[kray-nee-ot-uh-mee] / ˌkreɪ niˈɒt ə mi /

noun

Surgery.
  • craniotomies
    plural
  1. the operation of opening the skull, usually for operations on the brain.


craniotomy British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

craniotomy Scientific  
/ krā′nē-ŏt′ə-mē /
  1. Surgical incision into the skull.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of craniotomy

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Doctors said they had performed a craniotomy on the president, a procedure in which part of the bone is surgically removed from the skull to treat the bleed and relieve the pressure.

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2024

She said he had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain that eventually led to a craniotomy, a procedure that removes part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2024

This technique requires arrays that cover relatively large areas, necessitating removal of at least an equal area of skull in a procedure known as a craniotomy.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 1, 2023

Learning how to open up a craniotomy, learning how to put diapers on your newborn kids and be a better attentive husband, all these were tasks that I wanted to accomplish.

From New York Times ● Oct. 11, 2022

In my former lectures, gentlemen, I explained to you the principles condemnatory of craniotomy and abortion, viewing these chiefly from the standpoint of the ethical philosopher and the jurist.

From Moral Principles and Medical Practice The Basis of Medical Jurisprudence by Charles Coppens

Over the next two years, Andrew’s therapy included seven craniotomies, but by 2014 he had stabilized, Davies said, “and we kind of thought he was going to survive.”

From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2021

Anthony Castrovince wrote that “he never truly escaped the effects of two craniotomies, chemotherapy and radiation.”

From Washington Post ● Aug. 7, 2017

As for the surgery itself, craniotomies performed in a minimally invasive way—through a tiny incision around the eyelid or eyebrow—are generally well tolerated and heal quickly.

From Time ● Jul. 17, 2017

After three craniotomies and five years of foster care, he was adopted into a strict Pentecostal family, becoming the 10th of what would eventually be 37 Sheptock children.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 13, 2010

Despite three craniotomies, Lavorante remained in a coma for 18 months, though nurses fed him meals, guided him through exercises, even trained him to comb his hair.

From Time Magazine Archive

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