cordotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “cordotomy” mean?
A surgical procedure that cuts through a bundle of nerve fibers in the spinal cord to relieve severe, chronic pain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure that cuts through a bundle of nerve fibers in the spinal cord to relieve severe, chronic pain.
A neurosurgical intervention, typically performed when other pain management strategies have failed, involving the selective destruction of pain-conducting pathways in the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both UK and US medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cordotomy” in a Sentence
The patient underwent a cordotomy.The surgeon performed a cordotomy to alleviate the pain.Cordotomy is indicated for intractable cancer pain.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cordotomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team decided to cordotomise the patient to provide lasting relief.
- He was cordotomised last Tuesday.
American English
- The surgical team opted to cordotomize the patient.
- She was cordotomized to manage her neuropathic pain.
adjective
British English
- The cordotomy procedure was successful.
- He experienced post-cordotomy analgesia.
American English
- The cordotomy patient showed immediate pain relief.
- They discussed the cordotomy approach in the meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and neuroscience research papers discussing pain pathways or historical surgical techniques.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical neurology, neurosurgery, and palliative care notes to describe a specific surgical procedure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cordotomy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cordotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cordotomy”
- Misspelling as 'chordotomy' (confusion with 'chord' as in music).
- Using it as a general term for any pain surgery.
- Pronouncing the first 'o' as short /ɒ/ in American English (it is long /ɔː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is much less common than in the mid-20th century due to advances in pharmacologic pain management, neuromodulation (like spinal cord stimulators), and a better understanding of its long-term complications.
Key risks include weakness or paralysis, loss of bladder/bowel control, changes in sensation (like inability to feel heat or cold), and, for high cervical cordotomies, potential breathing problems.
No, the procedure is deliberately destructive and irreversible. The cut nerve fibers do not regenerate.
A cordotomy cuts pain pathways within the spinal cord itself. A rhizotomy cuts the nerve root(s) as they exit the spinal column, often to treat localised nerve pain or spasticity.
A surgical procedure that cuts through a bundle of nerve fibers in the spinal cord to relieve severe, chronic pain.
Cordotomy is usually technical/medical in register.
Cordotomy: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːˈdɒtəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrˈdɑːtəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CORD (spinal cord) + OTTOMY (a cutting, like in 'appendectomy'). It's a cutting into the spinal cord.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN IS A SIGNAL TRAVELLING ALONG A CORD/WIRE. A cordotomy is like cutting the specific wire that carries the pain signal.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a cordotomy?