splenectomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “splenectomy” mean?
A surgical operation to remove the spleen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical operation to remove the spleen.
The excision of the spleen, which may be performed due to trauma, diseases like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), certain cancers, or for diagnostic purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or use. Spelling of related terms may follow national conventions (e.g., anaesthetic vs. anesthetic).
Connotations
Purely medical/surgical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both UK and US English, confined to medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “splenectomy” in a Sentence
The patient underwent a splenectomy.The surgeon performed a splenectomy for traumatic rupture.A splenectomy is indicated in cases of...Following the splenectomy, the patient...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “splenectomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient was splenectomised following the accident.
- The decision was made to splenectomise.
American English
- The patient was splenectomized after the trauma.
- They decided to splenectomize.
adjective
British English
- The splenectomised patient requires lifelong vaccinations.
- Post-splenectomy sepsis is a serious risk.
American English
- The splenectomized patient needs prophylactic antibiotics.
- Post-splenectomy infection is a major concern.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological research papers, clinical studies, and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only if discussing personal or family medical history.
Technical
The primary context. Used in surgical notes, medical diagnoses, clinical discussions, and patient education materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “splenectomy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “splenectomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “splenectomy”
- Misspelling as 'splenectemy' or 'splenectomie'.
- Using it to refer to spleen pain or disease rather than the surgical procedure.
- Incorrect pronunciation stress (e.g., on the first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered major surgery, though minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques have made recovery easier.
Yes, but the spleen plays a role in fighting infections, so splenectomised patients have a lifelong increased risk of certain bacterial infections and require specific vaccinations and sometimes antibiotic prophylaxis.
Trauma (a ruptured spleen), certain blood disorders (like ITP or hereditary spherocytosis), some cancers (like lymphomas), and diagnostic purposes for unexplained spleen enlargement.
A total splenectomy removes the entire spleen. A partial splenectomy removes only the damaged or diseased portion, aiming to preserve some of the spleen's immune function.
A surgical operation to remove the spleen.
Splenectomy is usually formal, medical/technical in register.
Splenectomy: in British English it is pronounced /splɪˈnɛktəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /splɪˈnɛktəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SPLEEN' + 'ECTOMY' (a cutting out). It's the cutting out of the spleen.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS REMOVAL (of a defective/damaged part).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'splenectomy'?