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Glite Dictionary
vasotomy

vasotomy

9.9
A small surgical cut in the tube that carries sperm from the testicle
  • noun
  • /væˈsɑːtəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vasotomía
  • The urologist performed a vasotomy to facilitate the removal of a blockage in the vas deferens.

Examples

  • The urologist performed a vasotomy as part of the corrective surgery.

  • Recovery after a vasotomy usually involves minimal discomfort.

  • A vasotomy is sometimes required to access blocked seminal ducts.

  • A vasotomy is a common procedure.

  • The vasotomy is performed under anesthesia.

  • After the vasotomy, the patient was advised to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks.

  • A successful vasotomy can restore the passage for sperm in cases of infertility.

Synonyms

vasosection
vsvasotomy
  • Specialized
9.9

A surgical cut in the tube that carries sperm to stop a man having children

is a surgical incision or division without implying a specific purpose

Surface Forms

vasotomy singular
vasotomies plural

Morphology

vasotomy = vas (opaque) = vas + otomy

Although analyzable as 'vas' + the medical combining suffix '-otomy' (incision), both elements are specialist medical morphemes unlikely to be known by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Vasotomy comes from the parts vas- meaning 'vessel' or 'tube' and -tomy meaning 'cutting', a part you see in many surgery words. So a vasotomy is a 'cut into a vessel', which is why it means a surgical cut into the vas deferens.