colotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal, technical, medical
Quick answer
What does “colotomy” mean?
A surgical incision into the colon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision into the colon.
In medical contexts, it can also refer to the surgical procedure of cutting into the colon, often as part of a larger operation or for diagnostic purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage.
Connotations
Purely medical/surgical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage; used almost exclusively by medical professionals in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “colotomy” in a Sentence
undergo a colotomyperform a colotomy on [patient]require a colotomyVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical textbooks, journals, and surgical training.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Exclusively used in medical/surgical contexts, specifically in gastroenterology and general surgery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colotomy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colotomy”
- Misspelling as 'colostomy' or 'coloctomy'. Mispronouncing the stress (should be on the second syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different procedures. A colotomy is an incision into the colon, while a colostomy creates a permanent or temporary opening (stoma) from the colon to the abdominal surface.
It is most commonly used in general surgery and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
No, 'colotomy' is exclusively a noun. The related verb would be 'to perform a colotomy' or 'to incise the colon'.
In American English, it is typically pronounced /kəˈlɑː.t̬ə.mi/, with the stress on the second syllable and a flap 't' sound.
A surgical incision into the colon.
Colotomy is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'colo' (as in colon) + 'tomy' (cutting, as in anatomy or lobotomy). It's a cutting into the colon.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION/CORRECTION (e.g., 'exploratory colotomy').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'colotomy'?