curettage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “curettage” mean?
A medical procedure in which tissue is scraped or scooped out from a body cavity, most commonly the uterus, for examination or treatment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical procedure in which tissue is scraped or scooped out from a body cavity, most commonly the uterus, for examination or treatment.
In broader contexts, the process of scraping or cleaning out any surface or cavity (e.g., in dentistry for cleaning tooth sockets, or in archaeology for cleaning sites), though this is highly technical and less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling, pronunciation, and usage are consistent.
Connotations
Specifically medical/surgical in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language; exclusive to medical contexts. Possibly slightly more frequent in US English due to higher volume of medical publications/terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “curettage” in a Sentence
The doctor performed a curettage (on the patient).She underwent a dilation and curettage (D&C).Curettage of the uterine cavity was necessary.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curettage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The obstetrician decided to curette the uterus to remove retained products of conception.
- The area was carefully curetted.
American English
- The surgeon will curette the lesion before applying the antiseptic.
- The socket was curetted following the extraction.
adverb
British English
- The tissue was removed curettage-style.
American English
- The dentist worked curettage-like to clean the pocket.
adjective
British English
- The curettage procedure was scheduled for Tuesday.
- Post-curettage care is essential.
American English
- The curettage instrument must be sterile.
- She experienced some post-curettage bleeding.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and clinical research papers, textbooks, and case studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used; laypeople might say "scraping" or refer to the procedure as a "D&C".
Technical
Standard term in gynecology, obstetrics, dentistry, and some surgical specialties.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curettage”
- Misspelling as 'curretage', 'curetidge', or 'curettadge'.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'curette').
- Confusing it with 'cauterize' (burning tissue).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency technical term used almost exclusively in medical contexts.
'D&C' stands for 'Dilation and Curettage', which is the full name of the procedure where the cervix is dilated before the curettage (scraping) is performed. 'Curettage' refers specifically to the scraping action.
It is extremely rare. In archaeology, it might describe a precise scraping technique, but 'excavation' or 'cleaning' are far more common terms.
Yes, the verb is 'to curette' (e.g., 'to curette the uterus'). However, 'to perform a curettage' is the more typical phrasing.
A medical procedure in which tissue is scraped or scooped out from a body cavity, most commonly the uterus, for examination or treatment.
Curettage is usually formal/technical in register.
Curettage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkjʊəˈrɛtɑːʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkjʊrɪˈtɑːʒ/ or /kjʊˈrɛtɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dilation and curettage (D&C) – the standard full term for the procedure.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Curettage sounds like "cure-it-age" – a procedure to 'cure' by removing tissue (age suggests a process).
Conceptual Metaphor
NOT APPLICABLE (Highly technical term with no common metaphorical extension).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'curettage' most specifically used?