enterectomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low FrequencyFormal / Medical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “enterectomy” mean?
A surgical operation to remove part of the intestine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical operation to remove part of the intestine.
The surgical removal of a segment of the small intestine, typically performed to treat conditions such as Crohn's disease, tumours, obstructions, or severe trauma.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage is identical in medical contexts. Spelling follows regional norms (e.g., anaesthesia vs. anesthesia in surrounding text).
Connotations
Purely technical, with no divergent cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, used exclusively in surgical, gastroenterological, and anatomical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “enterectomy” in a Sentence
Patient + undergo + enterectomySurgeon + perform + enterectomy + on + patientVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enterectomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgical team decided to enterectomise the necrotic segment.
- The ileum was enterectomised due to stricture.
American English
- The surgical team decided to enterectomize the necrotic segment.
- The ileum was enterectomized due to stricture.
adjective
British English
- The enterectomy procedure was documented in the notes.
- Post-enterectomy care is crucial.
American English
- The enterectomy procedure was documented in the notes.
- Post-enterectomy care is crucial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical textbooks, research papers, and surgical case studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used; laypeople would say 'bowel surgery' or 'intestinal surgery'.
Technical
Standard precise term in surgery, gastroenterology, and pathology reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enterectomy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enterectomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enterectomy”
- Misspelling as 'enterechtomy' or 'entrectomy'.
- Confusing it with 'colectomy' (removal of colon).
- Using it as a general term for any abdominal surgery.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered major abdominal surgery, as it involves opening the abdominal cavity and removing a segment of the digestive tract.
An enterectomy specifically refers to removal of part of the small intestine (enteron), while a colectomy refers to removal of part or all of the large intestine (colon).
Yes, often. The small intestine is long, and removal of a limited segment is usually well-tolerated. Extensive removal may require dietary adjustments or nutritional support.
Common indications include Crohn's disease with complications (fistulas, strictures), intestinal tumours (benign or malignant), trauma, ischemia (dead tissue), or severe obstruction.
A surgical operation to remove part of the intestine.
Enterectomy is usually formal / medical / technical in register.
Enterectomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛntəˈrɛktəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛntəˈrɛktəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ENTERO- (relating to the intestines) + -ECTOMY (a cutting out). It's a 'cutting out of the intestines'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS EXCISION / REMOVAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'enterectomy'?