thoracotomy

[ thawr-uh-kot-uh-mee, thohr- ]

noun

, Surgery.

, plural tho·ra·cot·o·mies.

1. incision into the chest cavity.

thoracotomy

/ ˌθɔːrəˈkɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the chest wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of thoracotomy¹

First recorded in 1855–60; thoraco- + -tomy