celiotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Highly SpecializedFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “celiotomy” mean?
A surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
A formal medical procedure where the abdomen is opened surgically, typically for exploration, diagnosis, or treatment of abdominal conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Both use 'celiotomy' in medical literature. 'Laparotomy' is arguably more common in both daily clinical speech.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in surgical/medical texts and discussions. Slightly more common in historical or very formal surgical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “celiotomy” in a Sentence
The surgeon performed a(n) ADJ celiotomy.The patient required a(n) ADJ celiotomy for NOUN.A celiotomy revealed NOUN.A celiotomy was performed to VERB.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “celiotomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgical team decided to celiotomise the patient to locate the source of the bleed.
- We may need to celiotomise if the scan is inconclusive.
American English
- The surgical team decided to perform a celiotomy on the patient to locate the source of the bleeding.
- We may need to do a celiotomy if the scan is inconclusive.
adverb
British English
- The abdomen was accessed celiotomically.
American English
- The abdomen was accessed via celiotomy.
adjective
British English
- The patient had a celiotomy scar.
- The celiotomy approach was deemed necessary.
American English
- The patient had a celiotomy scar.
- The celiotomy approach was deemed necessary.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and surgical journals, textbooks, and research papers. Found in case reports and procedure descriptions.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A patient would likely hear 'abdominal surgery' or 'open surgery'.
Technical
Core term in surgical operative notes, discussions of surgical approach, and medical histories.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “celiotomy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “celiotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “celiotomy”
- Misspelling as 'coeliotomy' or 'celitomy'. Confusing it with 'colectomy' (removal of the colon). Using it to refer to the entire operation rather than the specific incision step.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, they are essentially synonymous. Some older or more precise texts may define 'celiotomy' as an incision specifically into the *abdominal* cavity, while 'laparotomy' can refer to an incision into the abdominal wall (flank). In practice, they are used interchangeably.
Technically yes, as it involves a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. However, it is almost never referred to as a celiotomy in clinical practice; the specific term 'cesarean section' or 'C-section' is used.
General surgery, trauma surgery, gynecological surgery, and surgical oncology. It is a foundational term in the description of open surgical approaches.
Reasons include emergencies (e.g., severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding), complex cases requiring better visualisation and manual access, when laparoscopic surgery is contraindicated, or to remove large specimens (e.g., tumours).
A surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
Celiotomy is usually formal/technical in register.
Celiotomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsiːlɪˈɒtəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsiːliˈɑːtəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The book was opened (medical slang, rare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'celio-' (like 'coelom', the body cavity) + '-tomy' (cutting). A 'cut into the cavity'.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPENING A CONTAINER (The abdomen is a container that is surgically opened to access its contents.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'celiotomy'?