costotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Technical/Medical)Technical (Medical/Surgical)
Quick answer
What does “costotomy” mean?
A surgical incision into a rib.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision into a rib.
A surgical procedure where a cut is made into a rib, typically performed to gain access to the thoracic cavity or to relieve chest trauma. It is a component of more extensive thoracic surgeries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The procedural technique is universal in thoracic surgery.
Connotations
Neutral, purely descriptive of a surgical action. No cultural connotations attached.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, used only within the specific field of thoracic or trauma surgery. No notable frequency difference.
Grammar
How to Use “costotomy” in a Sentence
The surgeon performed a costotomy to [VERB PHRASE, e.g., access the lung].A [ADJ, e.g., lateral] costotomy was necessary.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “costotomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team will need to costotomise the fifth rib to gain adequate exposure.
- They costotomised under direct vision.
American English
- The surgeon decided to costotomize the rib for better access.
- After costotomizing, they proceeded with the lobectomy.
adverb
British English
- The rib was divided costotomically.
- They proceeded costotomically to enter the pleural space.
American English
- The access was achieved costotomically.
- The surgeon worked costotomically to avoid the neurovascular bundle.
adjective
British English
- The costotomy site was closed meticulously.
- A costotomy approach was deemed safest.
American English
- The costotomy incision healed well.
- They reviewed the costotomy procedure in the briefing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusively in medical or surgical textbooks, journals, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'they had to cut into a rib during surgery'.
Technical
Primary context. Used in surgical notes, operative reports, and discussions between surgeons, especially in cardiothoracic or trauma surgery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “costotomy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “costotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “costotomy”
- Misspelling as 'costatomy' or 'costoctomy'.
- Confusing it with 'costectomy' (removal) or 'thoracotomy' (broader chest incision).
- Using it in non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a significant surgical step, but it is typically one component of a larger thoracic procedure (like a lobectomy or trauma surgery), not an operation performed in isolation.
A thoracotomy is a surgical incision into the pleural space of the chest. A costotomy specifically refers to the act of cutting the rib itself, which is often part of performing a thoracotomy.
In lay terms, no. A patient would be said to have 'had chest surgery' or 'rib surgery'. 'Costotomy' is the technical descriptor used by surgeons for that specific step in their operative notes.
Yes, the rib bone, like other bones, can heal after being surgically cut. Recovery involves managing pain and preventing complications like infection or pneumothorax, as part of the overall recovery from the larger surgical procedure.
A surgical incision into a rib.
Costotomy is usually technical (medical/surgical) in register.
Costotomy: in British English it is pronounced /kɒˈstɒt.ə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑˈstɑ.t̬ə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COSTume covers the body, a bone is under it. COSTO(tomy) is about the rib bone. -TOMY means to cut (like in anatomy). So, 'costotomy' = cutting the rib.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCESS IS OPENING. The rib is a barrier; cutting it is creating an opening to reach what is inside (organs).
Practice
Quiz
In which professional setting would you most likely encounter the word 'costotomy'?