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microsurgeon

microsurgeon

6.8
A doctor who does surgery on very small body parts using a microscope and tiny tools
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɜrdʒən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : microcirujano
  • After the surgery, the microsurgeon explained the intricate details of the procedure to the patient's family.

Examples

  • Unfortunately, microsurgeons occasionally encounter cases in which mismatched vessels must be anastomosed, which is a situation at high risk for flow turbulence.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Although "tracking" of residents into various subspecialties has been controversial, program directors can play a positive role by realizing that not every resident has the prerequisite skills to be an adept microsurgeon and not every program has sufficient clinical volumes to assure competency.

    Academic text (1996)
  • While most microsurgeons try to avoid working with size-mismatched vessels by their choice of recipient vessel and the vascular flap pedicle that corresponds in size, this luxury is not always possible.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The skillful microsurgeon used a microscope to carefully reconnect the damaged nerves in the patient's hand.

  • During the operation, the microsurgeon meticulously repaired the blood vessels to ensure proper healing.

How Specialized

microsurgeon
  • Specialized
6.8
surgeon
783 3.2
doctor
1.0

Surface Forms

microsurgeon singular
microsurgeons plural

Morphology

microsurgeon = surgeon (semi-transparent) = micro + surgeon + micro

The meaning is largely compositional from 'micro-' + 'surgeon', but it refers to a specialized medical role rather than a fully literal 'small surgeon'.

Etymology

The word microsurgeon comes from micro- meaning 'small' and surgeon, which comes from old Greek words meaning 'hand' and 'work', so it is a 'hand-worker'. So a microsurgeon is a doctor who works on very small parts of the body, often using a microscope to see tiny details.