craniotomy

American  

[krey-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.

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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

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craniotomy Scientific  

/ krā′nē-ŏt′ə-mē /

1. Surgical incision into the skull.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• craniotomies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of craniotomy

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

Example Sentences

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

“He’s not doing well. The more recent development, after a third craniotomy, is seizures. It’s been a long road,” Fulginiti said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2022

Caruso, therefore, concludes that craniotomy on the living child is to be superseded by Cesarean section.

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