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laryngectomy

laryngectomy

1 8.9
An operation to remove the voice box to treat throat cancer
  • noun
  • /lɛrɪŋˈɡɛktəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : laringectomía
  • The doctor explained that a laryngectomy would be necessary to treat his cancer.
  • a total laryngectomy
  • a partial laryngectomy
  • undergo laryngectomy

Examples

  • A couple of years ago, he had a laryngectomy.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Patients who undergo laryngectomy typically lose their sense of smell.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Individuals with laryngectomy could use any speech method.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I need a partial laryngectomy.

  • After fluid resuscitation, the patient was taken to the operating room for a total laryngectomy.

    Academic text (2009)
  • We performed a wide-field total laryngectomy, which was followed by radiotherapy.

    Academic text (2001)
  • We believe that laryngectomy is rarely necessary as an initial treatment for laryngeal chondrosarcoma.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The surgeon performs a wide-field total laryngectomy with a total thyroidectomy and removal of the upper three tracheal rings.

    Academic text (2001)
  • All T1 and T2 cases had been treated with supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy, and all T4 cases with total laryngectomy.

    Academic text (1995)
  • We performed a pathologic review of the archived histologic specimens from two patients who had undergone total laryngectomy as their primary treatment.

    Academic text (1999)

How Invasive

laryngectomy
  • Specialized
1 8.9
tracheostomy
  • Specialized
3 9.1
endotracheal tube
  • Specialized
1 4.8
oxygen mask
15 3.4

Surface Forms

laryngectomy singular

Morphology

laryngectomy = larynx (semi-transparent) = laryng + ectomy

The meaning is structurally clear in medical terminology as 'laryng-' plus '-ectomy' ('surgical removal'), but both elements are specialized forms that many learners will not know.

Etymology

Laryngectomy comes from larynx 'voice box' and the ending -ectomy 'cutting out', the same ending you see in appendectomy and tonsillectomy. So a laryngectomy is the surgical removal of the larynx, which is why it affects speech and breathing.