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abdominal hysterectomy -the uterus is removed through the abdomen via
a surgical incision.
abdominoscopy - a type of surgery using a laparoscope, which is
inserted into one or more small incisions, to examine the abdominal cavity. (See also
endoscopy, laparoscopy, or minimally invasive surgery.)
acute appendicitis - acute inflammation of the appendix due to
infection.
advance directives - legal documents stating a patient's medical
preferences in the event the patient should become incapable of voicing his/her opinion.
(See also durable power of attorney and living will.)
anesthesia - medicine administered for the relief of pain and
sensation during surgery.
antibiotics - medication used to treat infection.
anticoagulation drugs - medication used to prevent blood clots
from forming.
appendectomy - the surgical removal of the appendix to treat acute
appendicitis.
arthroscopy - with the use of an endoscope, surgeons can look at
the interior of a joint. This technique is most often used to inspect the inside of the
knee joint.
artificial ventilation - the process of supporting breathing by
manual or mechanical means when normal breathing is inefficient or has stopped.
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biopsy - a diagnostic test involving the removal of tissue or cells
for examination under a microscope.
blood pressure - the pressure of the force of the blood
pushing against the artery walls.
bronchoscopy - the
examination of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs) using a flexible
tube (bronchoscope). Bronchoscopy helps to evaluate and diagnose lung
problems, assess blockages, obtain samples of tissue and/or fluid, and/or to
help remove a foreign body.
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catheter - a flexible tube used to drain fluid from or inject fluid into the
body. The most common catheter is the Foley catheter, used to drain urine from the
bladder.
cholecystectomy - surgery to remove the gallbladder.
colectomy - partial or complete removal of the large bowel or colon.
colonoscopy - a
test that uses a long, flexible tube with a light and camera lens at the end
(colonoscope) to examine inside the large intestine.
colposcopy - visual examination of the cervix and vagina using a
lighted magnifying instrument (colposcope).
computed tomography (CT or CAT scan)
- a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of
x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often
called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT
scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones,
muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
craniectomy - excision of a part of the skull.
craniotomy - surgical opening of the skull to gain access to the
intracranial structures.
cystoscopy - inserting a viewing tube up the urethra to examine
the urethra and bladder cavity.
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debridement - the surgical removal of foreign material and/or dead, damaged, or
infected tissue from a wound or burn.
deep vein thrombosis - blood clotting which occurs within
deep-lying veins.
diathermy machine - a piece of equipment used in the operating
room to control bleeding.
dilation and curettage (D & C) - a common gynecological surgery
which consists of widening the cervical canal with a dilator and scraping the uterine
cavity with a curette.
durable power of attorney - a legal document denoting a friend or
family member as your legal guardian in case you are unable to make medical decisions for
yourself.
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elective surgery - an operation the patient chooses to have done, which may not
be essential to continuation of quality of life. (See also optional surgery.)
electrocardiogram - a
test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal
rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
electrocoagulation - electrosurgery which helps harden tissue.
electrodesiccation - electrosurgery which destroys tissue.
electrosurgery - surgery which uses electrical instruments.
emergency surgery - an operation performed immediately as a result of
a urgent medical condition. (See also urgent surgery.)
endarterectomy - the surgical removal of plaque or blood clots in an
artery.
endoscopy - a test that uses a small, flexible
tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope) to examine the
inside of part of the digestive tract. Tissue samples from inside the
digestive tract may also be taken for examination and testing.
epidural anesthetic - an anesthetic which is injected into the
"epidural space" in the middle and lower back, just outside the spinal space, to
numb the lower extremities.
esophagus - the muscular canal that runs from the voice box to
the stomach.
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fallopian tubes - tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries. The
fallopian tube transports eggs and sperm.
free skin graft - the detaching of healthy skin from one part of the
body to repair areas of lost or damaged skin in another part of the body.
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gastrectomy - complete or partial removal of the stomach.
gastroscopy - examining the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and
the first part of the small intestine with a long viewing tube.
general anesthetic - an anesthetic which causes the patient to
become unconscious during surgery.
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heart rate - the rate at which the heart beats. Normal heart rates range
between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
hemorrhage - the medical term for bleeding.
hemorrhoidectomy - the surgical removal of hemorrhoids.
hemorrhoids - distended veins in the lining of the anus.
hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus.
hysteroscopy - a visual inspection of the cervical canal and
uterine cavity with an endoscope.
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inguinal hernias - protrusions of part of the intestine into the muscles of the
groin.
infection - the invasion of the body by microorganisms that cause
disease.
informed consent form - a form signed by the patient prior to
surgery which explains everything involved in the surgery, including its risks.
inpatient surgery - surgery which requires the patient to be
admitted and stay in the hospital.
intravenous line - a thin, plastic tube inserted into a vein
(usually in the patient's forearm) through which a volume of fluid is injected into
the bloodstream.
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laminectomy - surgical procedure which includes removal of a portion
of the lamina, to provide more room in the vertebral canal; usually for disc herniation or
spinal canal stenosis.
laparoscopic cholecystectomy - an operation to remove the gallbladder.
The physician inserts a laparoscope, and other surgical instruments, through small holes in
the abdomen. The camera allows the physician to see the gallbladder on a television screen.
The physician removes the gallbladder through the holes.
laparoscopic lymphadenectomy - the removal of pelvic lymph nodes with
a laparoscope done through four small incisions in the lower abdominal region.
laparoscopy - a
test that uses a tube with a light and a camera lens at the end
(laparoscope) to examine organs and check for abnormalities. Laparoscopy is
often used during surgery to look inside the body and avoid making large
incisions. Tissue samples may also be taken for examination and testing.
laryngoscopy - inspecting the larynx (voice box) with a mirror or
viewing tube.
laser surgery - using a device which emits a beam of light
radiation, surgeons can cauterize a wound, repair damaged tissue, or cut through tissue.
living will - a legal document which states your medical preferences
for treatment and resuscitation in the event you can no longer speak for yourself.
lobectomy - removal of a lobe of the lung, for cancer, benign tumors,
or infections.
local anesthesia - anesthetic medicine injected into the site of
the operation to temporarily numb that area.
lumpectomy - a surgical procedure to remove a tumor and surrounding
tissue.
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resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a
combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce
detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
mastectomy - the removal of all or part of the breast.
minimally invasive surgery - any technique involved in surgery that
does not require a large incision. (See also endoscopy, abdominoscopy, or laparoscopy.)
modified radical mastectomy - surgical removal of the entire breast
and the ancillary lymph nodes.
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needle aspiration (of the breast) - uses a thin needle and syringe to
collect tissue or drain a lump after using a local anesthetic.
needle biopsy (of the breast) - a procedure to remove a small piece of
breast tissue using a needle with a special cutting edge, after using a local anesthetic.
nephrectomy - surgical removal of the kidney.
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open surgery - cutting the skin and tissues during surgery to
expose a full view of the structures and organs involved in the procedure.
optional surgery - an operation the patient chooses to have done,
which may not be essential to continuation or quality of life. (See also elective
surgery.)
outpatient surgery - surgery which allows the patient to go home
the same day.
ovary - one of a pair of almond-shaped glands situated on either
side of the uterus. Egg cells develop in the ovaries.
[return to
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peritoneal adhesions - the peritoneum is a two-layered membrane that
lines the wall of the abdominal cavity and covers abdominal organs. Sometimes organs begin
to adhere to the peritoneum, requiring surgery to free the organs again.
plasma - the watery, straw-colored fluid which carries the
cellular elements of the blood through circulation.
pneumonectomy - removal of an entire lung, for cancer, lung
abscesses, bronchiectasis, or extensive tuberculosis.
post-anesthesia care unit - the area a patient is brought to
after surgery to recover. Also called recovery room.
prostatectomy - surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal
of the prostate.
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radical mastectomy - surgical removal of the entire breast, the
pectoral muscles, and the ancillary lymph nodes.
regional anesthetic - an anesthetic used to numb a portion of the
body.
required surgery - an operation which is necessary to continue
quality of life. Required surgery may not have to be done immediately, like emergency
surgery.
[return to
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salpingectomy - surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
shock - a dangerous reduction of blood flow throughout the body.
sigmoidoscopy -
a test that uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera lens at the end to look
at the inside of the rectum and lower large intestine for abnormalities.
simple mastectomy - surgical removal of the breast and possibly a few
of the axillary lymph nodes close to the breast.
spinal anesthetic - an anesthetic which is injected into the
spinal canal fluid for surgery in the lower abdomen, pelvis, rectum, or other lower
extremities.
splenectomy - surgical removal of the spleen.
subtotal or partial gastrectomy - surgical removal of a portion of the
stomach.
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chest trauma to detect the source of bleeding.
thrombolytic drugs - medication used to dissolve blood clots.
total gastrectomy - complete removal of the stomach.
total hysterectomy - the entire uterus is surgically removed,
including the cervix; the fallopian tubes and the ovaries remain.
total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - the entire
uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries are surgically removed.
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urgent surgery - an operation performed immediately as a result of an urgent
medical condition. (See also emergency surgery.)
urinary retention - the inability to empty the bladder.
uterus - a hollow, muscular organ of the female reproductive
system.
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wedge resection of the lung - a small, localized section of the
lung is removed - often for a lung biopsy.
[return to
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energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto
film.
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