How Do You Spell PLEURECTOMY?

1. Pleurectomy is a medical procedure that involves the surgical removal of either a portion or the entire pleura – the thin membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity. The pleura has two layers: the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs directly, and the parietal pleura, which lines the inside of the chest cavity.

   A pleurectomy is typically performed to treat various conditions involving the pleura, such as malignant mesothelioma, a form of cancer that develops in the pleura due to asbestos exposure, or pleural effusion, the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. By removing all or part of the affected pleura, a pleurectomy aims to alleviate symptoms, improve lung function, and potentially remove cancerous tissue.

   During the procedure, an incision is made in the chest wall, providing access to the pleural space. The surgeon then carefully removes the damaged or diseased pleura, ensuring that the lung remains fully expanded and functional. Pleurectomy can be performed through traditional open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

   This surgical intervention requires expertise and precision due to the delicate nature of the pleural membrane and its proximity to vital structures within the chest. As with any surgical procedure, pleurectomy carries risks, such as infection, bleeding, or damage to adjacent organs. Therefore, careful patient evaluation, consideration of alternative treatment options, and close post-operative monitoring are necessary to ensure successful outcomes.

2. Exsection of a portion of one or more ribs.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PLEURECTOMY

The word "pleurectomy" is derived from two components: "pleur-" and "-ectomy".

1. "Pleur-" has its roots in the Greek word "pleura" (πλευρά), meaning "side" or "rib". In medical terminology, it specifically refers to the pleura, which is the thin membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs.

2. "-ectomy" comes from the Greek word "ektomē" (ἐκτομή), which means "excision" or "removal". It is a suffix commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a surgical removal or excision of a specified organ or body part.

Therefore, "pleurectomy" can be understood as the surgical removal or excision of the pleura.