lobectomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “lobectomy” mean?
The surgical removal of a lobe from an organ, most commonly a lung.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The surgical removal of a lobe from an organ, most commonly a lung.
A surgical procedure involving the excision of a distinct anatomical section or lobe of an organ, such as the lung, liver, thyroid, or brain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Surgical terminology is largely standardised.
Connotations
Purely clinical, with no regional connotative variation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both medical registers. A more general term like 'lung surgery' is used in lay contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lobectomy” in a Sentence
The patient underwent a [lung] lobectomy.The surgeon performed a lobectomy [on the right lung].A lobectomy was performed [to remove the tumour].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lobectomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgical team decided to lobectomise the affected lobe.
American English
- The surgeon will lobectomize the upper lobe next.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The lobectomy procedure was uneventful.
American English
- The lobectomy patient recovered quickly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A
Academic
Used in medical and surgical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used; replaced by 'lung surgery' or 'had part of their lung removed' in conversation.
Technical
Standard term in surgical notes, oncology, pulmonology, and radiology reports.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lobectomy”
- Misspelling as 'lobotomy'.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈloʊ.bəˌkoʊ.mi/ (should stress 'bek').
- Using 'lobectomy' to refer to removal of an entire organ.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered major surgery, as it involves opening the chest cavity (for a lung lobectomy) and removing a significant part of an organ.
A lobectomy removes one lobe of a lung, while a pneumonectomy removes an entire lung.
Yes, the remaining lung tissue can often compensate, allowing for a normal or near-normal quality of life after recovery.
Yes, types include open lobectomy (via a large incision) and minimally invasive types like VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery) or robotic-assisted lobectomy.
The surgical removal of a lobe from an organ, most commonly a lung.
Lobectomy is usually technical/medical in register.
Lobectomy: in British English it is pronounced /ləʊˈbɛk.tə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /loʊˈbɛk.tə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LOB-E-ctomy: Imagine a surgeon carefully cutting out a LOBE from an organ like a lung.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION EXCISION AS TARGETED REMOVAL. The body is a machine/organism with modular parts (lobes) that can be selectively removed.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'lobectomy' most precisely used?