oophorectomy
Meaning of oophorectomy: Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries, performed for conditions such as ovarian masses, cancer risk, or disease.
Definition of oophorectomy
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of an ovary. When both ovaries are removed, the procedure is called a bilateral oophorectomy, and when only one is removed, it is called a unilateral oophorectomy. The operation can be performed through an open incision or using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
Reasons for oophorectomy include an ovarian mass or cyst that requires removal, ovarian cancer, endometriosis involving the ovary, and, in some cases, a preventive procedure for people at increased risk of ovarian cancer. The procedure is sometimes performed together with removal of the fallopian tubes, a combined operation called salpingo-oophorectomy.
Removing both ovaries before natural menopause ends the body's primary source of certain reproductive hormones, which is an important consideration in planning and discussing the procedure.
How oophorectomy is built
- oophor/o Combining form · Greek ovary
- -ectomy Suffix · Greek surgical removal, excision
A medical term is read from its ending backwards: the suffix first, then the prefix, then the root. See all 223 word parts.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
A bilateral oophorectomy was performed at the time of the hysterectomy.
Good to know
A bilateral oophorectomy removes both ovaries and ends their hormone production, while a unilateral oophorectomy leaves the remaining ovary to continue functioning.
Word origin
Where “oophorectomy” comes from
Formed from oophor-, from Greek oophoron, meaning "ovary" (from oon, "egg," and pherein, "to bear"), and -ectomy, meaning "a cutting out."