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Glite Dictionary
cholelithotomy

cholelithotomy

9.9
An operation to remove a gallstone through a cut in the gallbladder
  • noun
  • /ˌkoʊlɪlɪˈθɑːtəmi/
  • Specialized
: colelitotomia
  • The surgeon performed a cholelithotomy to remove the patient's gallstones.

Examples

  • Recovery after a cholelithotomy is usually quicker than after a cholecystectomy.

  • A cholelithotomy may be recommended when gallstones cannot be dissolved or broken by less invasive methods.

  • Dr. Lee performed a cholelithotomy successfully.

  • Many patients recover quickly after a cholelithotomy.

  • The surgeon performed a cholelithotomy to remove the patient's gallstones.

  • Recovery after a cholelithotomy is usually quicker than after a cholecystectomy.

  • A cholelithotomy may be recommended when gallstones cannot be dissolved or broken by less invasive methods.

Surface Forms

cholelithotomy singular
cholelithotomies plural

Morphology

cholelithotomy = lithotomy (opaque) = chole + lith + otomy

The term is composed of Greek medical combining forms and names a specialized surgical procedure, which is not derivable by an average B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Cholelithotomy comes from three parts: chole- meaning 'bile' or 'gall', litho- meaning 'stone', and -otomy meaning 'cutting into'. So a cholelithotomy is a 'cut into' the gall to remove a stone, which explains why the word names the operation to take out gallstones from the gallbladder.