rhizotomy

American  

[rahy-zot-uh-mee] / raɪˈzɒt ə mi /

noun

Surgery.

rhizotomies plural

1. the surgical section or cutting of the spinal nerve roots, usually posterior or sensory roots, to eliminate pain.

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rhizotomy British  

/ raɪˈzɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the roots of spinal nerves, esp for the relief of pain

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• rhizotomies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rhizotomy

First recorded in 1910–15; rhizo- + -tomy

Example Sentences

Park, of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and the surgery for which he is known: the selective dorsal rhizotomy.

From Washington Times • May 11, 2018

The most effective operation. said Dr. Adson, is rhizotomy, or the snipping of the nerve roots as they come out of the spinal column.

From Time Magazine Archive