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trephining

trephining

9.9
To make a hole in the skull with a medical tool to treat a head problem
  • noun
  • /trəˈfaɪnɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trepanación
  • Cerebrum enclosed with tantalum prepared in accordance with glux standard trephining technique.

Examples

  • Doctors sometimes perform trephining to relieve pressure on the brain from swelling.

  • The ancient practice of trephining involved creating a hole in the skull to treat various ailments.

  • In some cases, trephining was believed to release evil spirits causing illness.

Synonyms

trephination
vstrephining
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A surgery that removes a round piece of bone from the skull

is the act of making a skull hole rather than removing a whole piece
trepanation
vstrephining
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Making a hole in the skull during surgery to reach the brain

is the act of making a skull hole usually for medical reasons

How Invasive

craniectomy
  • Specialized
1 9.9
craniotomy
  • Specialized
7 9.5
trephining
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

trephining singular
trephinings plural

Morphology

trephining = trephine (transparent) = trephine + ing

A regular gerund/nominal -ing formation from the verb 'trephine', so the meaning 'the act of making a hole' is directly derived.

Etymology

Trephining comes from the Greek word trypanon, which means 'borer' or 'drill'. So trephining is the act of 'drilling' a small hole in the skull to ease pressure or treat an injury.