enterotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “enterotomy” mean?
A surgical incision into the intestine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision into the intestine.
A surgical procedure involving cutting into the small intestine, typically performed to remove an obstruction, obtain a biopsy, or create an opening for another procedure like an anastomosis. It is a precise, controlled incision into the intestinal wall.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical in both medical communities.
Connotations
Neutral medical/surgical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Used with identical rarity, exclusively in surgical and gastroenterological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “enterotomy” in a Sentence
The surgeon performed an enterotomy [on the obstructed segment].An enterotomy [was necessary] to remove the foreign body.The procedure involved an enterotomy [followed by a resection].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enterotomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon will enterotomise the affected loop to visualise the lumen.
American English
- The surgeon will enterotomize the affected loop to visualize the lumen.
adjective
British English
- The enterotomy site was closed with a continuous suture.
American English
- The enterotomy site was closed with a running suture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical textbooks, surgical journals, and research papers describing operative techniques.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in surgical operative notes, gastroenterology, and veterinary surgery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enterotomy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enterotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enterotomy”
- Misspelling as 'enterostommy' or 'enteretomy'. Using it to refer to the removal of the intestine rather than just an incision.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a significant surgical step that can be part of both minor and major abdominal procedures. Its seriousness depends on the context, such as the patient's condition and the reason for the incision.
An enterotomy is a temporary cut or incision into the intestine, which is typically closed. An enterostomy is a surgical procedure to create a permanent or semi-permanent opening (stoma) from the intestine to the abdominal wall.
Yes, an enterotomy can be performed laparoscopically (using keyhole surgery) or during open abdominal surgery, depending on the clinical scenario and the surgeon's approach.
Yes, identically. It is a standard term in veterinary surgery for procedures on the intestines of animals.
A surgical incision into the intestine.
Enterotomy is usually technical / medical in register.
Enterotomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛntəˈrɒtəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛntəˈrɑːtəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ENTERO- (intestine) + -TOMY (cutting). It's the 'cutting into the intestine' procedure.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS CARPENTRY / PRECISION CRAFTSMANSHIP (making a precise, measured cut into a biological structure).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary action described by the term 'enterotomy'?