prefrontal lobotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical/medical
Quick answer
What does “prefrontal lobotomy” mean?
A surgical procedure that involves severing neural connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure that involves severing neural connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Historically used in the mid-20th century to treat mental disorders, now considered obsolete and unethical due to severe side effects and lack of efficacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; both refer to the same procedure.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, linked to historical medical controversies.
Frequency
Rarely used in contemporary language except in historical or critical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “prefrontal lobotomy” in a Sentence
lobotomy on the prefrontal cortexlobotomy for mental illnesslobotomy in medical historyVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rarely used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in medical history, psychology, and neuroscience discussions.
Everyday
Rarely used; might appear in historical documentaries or ethical debates.
Technical
Used in medical terminology and historical surgical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prefrontal lobotomy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prefrontal lobotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prefrontal lobotomy”
- Misspelling as 'prefrontal lobotamy' or 'prefontal lobotomy'.
- Using it to refer to modern neurosurgery without historical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a surgical procedure that involves cutting connections in the prefrontal cortex, historically used to treat mental disorders.
No, it is largely abandoned and considered unethical due to harmful outcomes and lack of scientific support.
Patients often experienced personality changes, emotional blunting, and cognitive impairments.
It highlights ethical lapses in medicine and the evolution of neurosurgical practices towards more evidence-based approaches.
A surgical procedure that involves severing neural connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Prefrontal lobotomy is usually technical/medical in register.
Prefrontal lobotomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpriːˈfrʌntəl ləˈbɒtəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpriˈfrʌntəl loʊˈbɑːtəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Pre-frontal Lobotomy: Pre (before) + frontal (front of brain) + lobotomy (cutting) = cutting the front part of the brain.
Conceptual Metaphor
Metaphor for any action that severely impairs judgment or critical thinking.
Practice
Quiz
What best describes a prefrontal lobotomy?