A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M
N  O   P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  YZ

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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 blood in the main arteries.

bronchoscopy – the examination of the bronchi, the main airways of the lungs, to diagnose certain lung disorders.

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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 - test to look into the rectum and colon. The doctor uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny lens on the end. The tube is called a colonoscope.

colposcopy - visual examination of the cervix and vagina using a lighted magnifying instrument (colposcope).

computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) – using a computer and x-rays to get a cross-sectional picture of the tissues being examined.

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 record of the electrical impulses that immediately precede the contraction of the heart muscle.

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 type of surgery using a laparoscope, which is inserted into one or more small incisions, to examine the abdominal cavity. (See also abdominoscopy, laparoscopy, or minimally invasive surgery.)

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 – the tube that extends from the uterus to the ovary. 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 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.

laparoscope – a type of endoscope consisting of an illuminated tube with an optical system.

laparoscopic cholecystectomy - an operation to remove the gallbladder. The doctor inserts a laparoscope, and other surgical instruments, through small holes in the abdomen. The camera allows the doctor to see the gallbladder on a television screen. The doctor 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 type of surgery using a laparoscope, which is inserted into one or more small incisions, to examine the abdominal cavity. (See also endoscopy, abdominoscopy, or minimally invasive surgery.)

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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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.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – with the use of a high-powered magnetic field, cross-sectional images can be made of organs and structures without using x-rays.

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nephrectomy - surgical removal of the kidney.

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.

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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.

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partial colectomy - the removal of part of the large intestine.

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, or 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.

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saline solution – a solution containing sodium chloride.

salpingectomy - surgical removal of a fallopian tube.

shock – a dangerous reduction of blood flow throughout the body.

sigmoidoscopy – examining the rectum and sigmoid colon.

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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thoracotomy - surgery to view the lung and may be used to confirm cancer, or for chest trauma to detect source of bleeding.

thrombolytic drugs – medication used to dissolve blood clots.

total gastrectomy - complete removal of the stomach.

total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - the entire uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries are surgically removed.

total hysterectomy - the entire uterus is surgically removed, including the cervix; the fallopian tubes and the ovaries remain.

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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 – the 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.

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x-rays – electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones, organs, and internal organs onto film.

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