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craniotomy

American  
[krey-nee-ot-uh-mee] / ˌkreɪ niˈɒt ə mi /

noun

Surgery.

plural

craniotomies
  1. the operation of opening the skull, usually for operations on the brain.


craniotomy British  
/ ˌkreɪnɪˈɒtəmɪ /

noun

  1. any surgical incision into the skull, esp to expose the brain for neurosurgery

  2. the surgical crushing of a fetal skull to extract a dead fetus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

craniotomy Scientific  
/ krā′nē-ŏtə-mē /
  1. Surgical incision into the skull.


Etymology

Origin of craniotomy

First recorded in 1850–55; cranio- + -tomy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Marc Morris, from Craven Arms, had to undergo a craniotomy, with the right side of his skull being removed.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2023

This technique requires arrays that cover relatively large areas, necessitating removal of at least an equal area of skull in a procedure known as a craniotomy.

From Scientific American • Sep. 1, 2023

George Halvorson, the retired chief executive of Kaiser Permanente, says he recently had a surgical procedure on his skull, a craniotomy, at the renowned Mayo Clinic.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

But in this case, the craniotomy and resection, or tissue removal, was the best option, Grannan said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

She had been thirty-six hours in parturition, and by evisceration and craniotomy was delivered of a child weighing 16 pounds.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)