gyrectomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “gyrectomy” mean?
A surgical procedure involving the excision or cutting of a gyrus in the brain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure involving the excision or cutting of a gyrus in the brain.
A specific type of psychosurgery historically performed for severe psychiatric disorders, now largely obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No practical differences exist due to extreme rarity. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral and clinical in both dialects; historically linked to controversial psychiatric treatments.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in both British and American general or professional discourse. Seen only in historical/academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gyrectomy” in a Sentence
undergo a gyrectomyperform a gyrectomy on [patient]the gyrectomy of the frontal lobeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gyrectomy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gyrectomy procedure is documented in mid-20th century journals.
- Post-gyrectomy observations were recorded.
American English
- The gyrectomy technique is described in historical archives.
- Gyrectomy patients were part of a long-term study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or medical history papers discussing obsolete neurosurgical techniques.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Extremely rare; used with precise anatomical reference in neurosurgical history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gyrectomy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gyrectomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gyrectomy”
- Misspelling as 'gyrecomy' or 'girectomy'.
- Using it to refer to modern neurosurgery.
- Pronouncing the 'g' as /g/ instead of /dʒ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical procedure from early psychosurgery and is not part of modern medical practice.
It was an attempt to treat severe psychiatric conditions by surgically altering specific areas of the brain's cortex.
No, but it is related. A lobotomy is a broader category of psychosurgery; a gyrectomy is a more specific type targeting a single gyrus.
Its rarity reflects the obsolescence of the procedure. The term exists only in historical medical literature.
A surgical procedure involving the excision or cutting of a gyrus in the brain.
Gyrectomy is usually technical/medical in register.
Gyrectomy: in British English it is pronounced /dʒaɪˈrɛktəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /dʒaɪˈrɛktəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GYRus' (a fold in the brain) + '-ECTOMY' (cutting out). It's a cutting out of a brain fold.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS EXCISION (literal, not metaphorical).
Practice
Quiz
What is a gyrectomy?