ablation

/əˈbleɪʃən/

/əˈbleɪʃən/

Other forms: ablations

An ablation is removing a body part, organ, or tissue surgically. If a doctor takes out one of your kidneys, that's an ablation.

This Latinate noun from the little-used verb ablate refers to the surgical removal of tissue from someone's body. This is a general term that applies to the surgical removal of any part of the patient's body. If an oncologist is removing a cancerous growth, that's an ablation. If a limb is being amputated, that's an ablation. If a dentist pulls out a tooth, that's an ablation. The other kind of ablation is also a reduction: the melting of glaciers.

Definitions of ablation

1. noun

   the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers
   type of:

   eating away, eroding, erosion, wearing, wearing away

   (geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
2. noun

   surgical removal of a body part or tissue
   synonyms: cutting out, excision, extirpation

   types:

   adenoidectomy

   surgical removal of the adenoids; commonly performed along with tonsillectomy

   adrenalectomy, suprarenalectomy

   surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands

   appendectomy, appendicectomy

   surgical removal of the vermiform appendix

   cholecystectomy

   surgical removal of the gall bladder (usually for relief of gallstone pain)

   clitoridectomy, female circumcision

   excision of the clitoris

   embolectomy

   surgical removal of an embolus (usually from an artery)

   endarterectomy

   surgical removal of the inner lining of an artery that is clogged with atherosclerosis

   enervation

   surgical removal of a nerve

   hypophysectomy

   surgical removal of the pituitary gland

   hysterectomy

   surgical removal of the uterus

   laminectomy

   surgical removal of the bony arches on one or more vertebrae

   laryngectomy

   surgical removal of part or all of the larynx (usually to treat cancer of the larynx)

   lithotomy

   surgical removal of a stone (calculus)

   lobectomy

   surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (as the lung or brain)

   lumpectomy

   surgical removal of a tumor without removing much of the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes; performed in some cases of breast cancer

   mastectomy

   surgical removal of a breast to remove a malignant tumor

   mastoidectomy

   surgical removal of some or all of the mastoid process

   meniscectomy

   surgical removal of the meniscus of the knee

   nephrectomy

   surgical removal of a kidney

   neurectomy

   surgical removal of all or part of a nerve

   oophorectomy, ovariectomy

   surgical removal of one of both ovaries

   oophorosalpingectomy

   surgical removal of one or both ovaries and the corresponding Fallopian tubes

   ophthalmectomy

   surgical removal of an eye

   orchidectomy, orchiectomy

   surgical removal of one or both testicles

   pancreatectomy

   surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas

   pneumonectomy

   surgical removal of a lung (usually to treat lung cancer)

   prostatectomy

   surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland

   salpingectomy

   surgical removal of one or both Fallopian tubes

   septectomy

   surgical removal of all or part of a septum (especially the nasal septum or atrial septum)

   sigmoidectomy

   surgical removal of part or all of the sigmoid colon (usually to remove a malignant tumor)

   splenectomy

   surgical removal of the spleen

   stapedectomy

   surgical removal of the stapes of the middle ear

   sympathectomy

   surgical interruption of a nerve pathway in the sympathetic nervous system

   thrombectomy

   surgical removal of a blood clot (thrombus) from a blood vessel

   thyroidectomy

   surgical removal of the thyroid gland

   tonsillectomy

   surgical removal of the palatine tonsils; commonly performed along with adenoidectomy

   vasectomy

   surgical procedure that removes all or part of the vas deferens (usually as a means of sterilization); is sometimes reversible

   vulvectomy

   surgical removal of part or all of the vulva

   lap choly, laparoscopic cholecystectomy

   removal of the gall bladder through small punctures in the abdomen to permit the insertion of a laparoscope and surgical instruments

   panhysterectomy, radical hysterectomy

   surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries and oviducts and cervix and related lymph nodes

   total hysterectomy

   surgical removal of the uterus and cervix

   cholelithotomy

   removal of gallstone through an incision in the gallbladder

   modified radical mastectomy

   removal of a breast and the pectoralis minor and some lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit

   radical mastectomy

   removal of a breast and the underlying muscles (pectoralis major and pectoralis minor) and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit

   simple mastectomy

   removal of a breast leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact

   type of:

   operation, surgery, surgical operation, surgical procedure, surgical process

   a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body