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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
wedge resection of the lung - a small, localized section of the lung is removed -- often for a lung biopsy.
x-rays - electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones, organs, and internal organs onto film.
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