🩺 Allstarmedics Surgery Glossary 

A

• Abscess – Localized collection of pus caused by infection; requires drainage.

• Aneurysm – Abnormal dilation of a blood vessel due to weakness in its wall.

• Anastomosis – Surgical connection between two structures (e.g., bowel, vessels).

• Antisepsis – Use of chemical agents to reduce microorganisms on tissues.

• Asepsis – Absence of microorganisms; achieved through sterilization techniques.

• Appendectomy – Surgical removal of the appendix.

B

• Biopsy – Removal of tissue for diagnostic examination.

• Bowel Resection – Surgical removal of a part of the intestine.

• Burns (Degrees) –

  • 1st degree: epidermis only

  • 2nd degree: dermis involved

  • 3rd degree: full-thickness skin

• Bypass Surgery – Rerouting blood or food flow around a blocked vessel/organ.

C

• Catheterization – Insertion of a tube into the body (e.g., urinary catheter).

• Cholecystectomy – Removal of the gallbladder.

• Colostomy – Surgical opening of colon through the abdominal wall.

• Craniotomy – Surgical opening of the skull.

• Cryotherapy – Use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue.

D

• Debridement – Removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue.

• Dehiscence – Partial/complete separation of a surgical wound.

• Drain (Surgical) – Device placed to remove pus, blood, or other fluids.

• DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) – Blood clot in deep veins, major surgical complication.

E

• Electrocautery – Use of electricity to cut tissue or stop bleeding.

• Endoscopy – Visualization of internal organs using a flexible tube with a camera.

• Excision – Surgical removal of tissue/organ.

• Exploratory Laparotomy – Surgical opening of the abdomen to diagnose/treat.

F

• Fasciotomy – Cutting fascia to relieve pressure (e.g., compartment syndrome).

• Fistula – Abnormal connection between two epithelial-lined surfaces (e.g., rectovaginal).

• Flap (Surgical) – Transfer of tissue with its blood supply for reconstruction.

G

• Gangrene – Tissue death due to loss of blood supply/infection.

• Graft – Transplanted tissue (skin graft, bone graft).

• Gastrectomy – Surgical removal of the stomach (partial or total).

H

• Hernia – Protrusion of an organ through a weak point in muscle/wall.

• Hemostasis – Stopping bleeding (via pressure, ligatures, cautery).

• Hemorrhage – Excessive bleeding during/after surgery.

• Hydrocelectomy – Removal of fluid-filled sac around the testicle.

I

• Incision – Surgical cut in the skin/tissue.

• Intubation – Placement of a tube into the airway for ventilation.

• Irrigation – Washing out a wound or cavity.

J

• Jejunostomy – Surgical creation of opening into the jejunum for feeding.

• Jackson-Pratt Drain (JP drain) – Closed suction drain for post-op fluid removal.

K

• Keloid – Overgrowth of scar tissue.

• Kyphoplasty – Surgical repair of spinal compression fracture.

L

• Laparoscopy – Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and camera.

• Laparotomy – Large incision in the abdomen for open surgery.

• Ligature – Thread used to tie off blood vessels.

• Lumpectomy – Removal of a breast lump (commonly for cancer).

M

• Mastectomy – Surgical removal of the breast.

• Morcellation – Cutting large tissue into smaller pieces for removal.

• Myomectomy – Surgical removal of uterine fibroids.

N

• Necrosis – Tissue death, often needing debridement.

• Nephrectomy – Removal of a kidney.

• Nissen Fundoplication – Surgery for GERD, wrapping stomach around esophagus.

O

• Ostomy – Surgical creation of an opening for waste elimination.

• Oophorectomy – Removal of the ovary.

• Orthopedic Surgery – Surgery of bones, joints, and ligaments.

P

• Palliative Surgery – Relieves symptoms but not curative.

• Paracentesis – Needle drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity.

• Phlebectomy – Removal of varicose veins.

• Pneumonectomy – Removal of a lung.

• Prophylaxis (Surgical) – Preventive measure (e.g., antibiotics before incision).

Q

• Quinsy Drainage – Incision/drainage of peritonsillar abscess.

R

• Resection – Removal of part of an organ (e.g., bowel resection).

• Reconstruction Surgery – Restoring function/appearance (e.g., plastic surgery).

• Roux-en-Y – Gastric bypass surgery technique.

S

• Sepsis – Life-threatening infection spreading through blood.

• Shunt – Artificial passage to redirect fluid flow (e.g., VP shunt).

• Splenectomy – Removal of spleen.

• Stent – Tube to keep a duct/vessel open.

• Sterilization – Elimination of all microorganisms.

T

• Thoracotomy – Surgical opening of the chest.

• Thrombectomy – Removal of blood clot.

• Tracheostomy – Surgical opening into the trachea to assist breathing.

• Transplantation – Transfer of organ/tissue from donor to recipient.

U

• Ureterostomy – Diversion of urine by bringing ureter to skin surface.

• Ulcer Debridement – Removal of necrotic tissue from chronic ulcer.

V

• Vagotomy – Cutting vagus nerve to reduce stomach acid secretion.

• Varicocelectomy – Removal of dilated veins of the scrotum.

• Vasectomy – Surgical sterilization in males by cutting vas deferens.

W

• Wound Healing (Phases) – Hemostasis → Inflammation → Proliferation → Remodeling.

• Whipple Procedure – Pancreaticoduodenectomy, major cancer surgery.

X

• Xenograft – Transplant from one species to another (e.g., pig valve to human).

Y

• Y-V Plasty – Plastic surgical technique for scar revision.

Z

• Z-Plasty – Surgical technique to lengthen/reposition scars.