thoracotomy
noun
tho·ra·cot·o·my
ˌthȯr-ə-ˈkä-tə-mē 
plural thoracotomies
: surgical incision of the chest wall
Examples of thoracotomy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lee died in the hospital where doctors performed an emergency thoracotomy, a cut through the rib cage, in an attempt to treat his wounds, according to the autopsy report.
—
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 31 May 2023
Reduction of patients having lung surgery requiring a thoracotomy to around 50 percent versus a nationwide percentage of around 90 percent.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, 24 Apr. 2018
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 31 May 2023
Reduction of patients having lung surgery requiring a thoracotomy to around 50 percent versus a nationwide percentage of around 90 percent.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, 24 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thoracotomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin thorac-, thorax + International Scientific Vocabulary -tomy
First Known Use
circa 1857, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near thoracotomy
Cite this Entry
“Thoracotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoracotomy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
thoracotomy
noun
tho·ra·cot·o·my
ˌthōr-ə-ˈkät-ə-mē, ˌthȯr-
plural thoracotomies
: surgical incision of the chest wall
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share