Medical Terminology · Digestive System · Medium
Appendicectomy
Meaning: Surgical removal of the small worm-like pouch attached to the caecum, usually for acute inflammation.
In practice: He had an appendicectomy after presenting with right iliac fossa pain.
Word parts
- -ectomy means surgical removal
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related medical terminology words.
Which word means: Affecting or relating to only one side of the body.
Answer: Unilateral
Which word means: Describing an infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Answer: Zoonotic
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