noun

thoracotomy

noun

A surgical cut into the chest wall, usually made so a surgeon can reach the heart, lungs, or other organs inside.

"The surgeon performed a thoracotomy to remove a portion of the damaged lung."

"Recovery from a thoracotomy can be painful because the incision crosses major chest muscles."

How to Use Thoracotomy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA surgical opening cut into the chest, usually a first step before operating on the heart or lungs.

Common pairings

open thoracotomy perform a thoracotomy thoracotomy incision

thoracotomies plural

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The surgeon performed a _____ to remove a portion of the damaged lung.

From thoraco- (relating to the chest) plus -tomy (a cutting), from Greek roots meaning "to cut."

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