laminectomy

[ lam-uh-nek-tuh-mee ]

noun

, plural lam·i·nec·to·mies.

1. the surgical removal of part of the posterior arch of a vertebra to provide access to the spinal canal, as for the excision of a ruptured disk.

laminectomy

/ ˌlæmɪˈnɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the backbone to gain access to the spinal cord Also calledrachiotomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of laminectomy¹

First recorded in 1890–95; lamin(a) + -ectomy