thoracotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/medical, formal
Quick answer
What does “thoracotomy” mean?
A surgical incision made through the chest wall to gain access to the thoracic cavity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision made through the chest wall to gain access to the thoracic cavity.
Used in various medical procedures involving the lungs, heart, esophagus, or other thoracic organs, often for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling and pronunciation are nearly identical.
Connotations
Both carry the same medical and surgical connotations.
Frequency
Equally frequent in medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “thoracotomy” in a Sentence
undergo a thoracotomy for [condition]thoracotomy to [verb] e.g., remove a tumorthoracotomy via [approach] e.g., anterolateral approachVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rarely used in business contexts.
Academic
Common in medical and surgical academic papers, textbooks, and discussions.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; primarily in medical settings.
Technical
Frequently used in technical medical documentation, surgical reports, and hospital communication.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thoracotomy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thoracotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thoracotomy”
- Misspelling as 'thoracotamy' or 'thoracotomi'
- Confusing with 'thoracoscopy' which is a different procedure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard surgical procedure in thoracic surgery but not commonly discussed outside medical contexts.
Risks include infection, bleeding, pain, and complications related to anesthesia and the specific organs involved.
Thoracotomy is an open surgery with a larger incision, while thoracoscopy is minimally invasive using small incisions and a camera.
Yes, thoracotomy can be performed on patients of all ages, including children, depending on the medical condition.
A surgical incision made through the chest wall to gain access to the thoracic cavity.
Thoracotomy is usually technical/medical, formal in register.
Thoracotomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɒr.əˈkɒt.ə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɔːr.əˈkɑː.t̬ə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'thorax' (chest) and '-tomy' (cutting), so it's a cutting into the chest.
Conceptual Metaphor
A gateway to the thoracic cavity, allowing surgeons to access internal organs.
Practice
Quiz
What is a thoracotomy?