craniotomy

noun

cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈä-tə-mē 

plural craniotomies

: surgical opening of the skull

Examples of craniotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fifteen years ago, St. John underwent two craniotomies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to remove tumors, then volunteered to meet with patients preparing for similar brain surgeries to offer them comfort, humor and reassurance. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025

Fifteen years ago, St. John underwent two craniotomies to remove tumors, later volunteering for Dr. Keith Black and Cedars-Sinai Neurology, meeting with patients preparing for brain surgery. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025

During a craniotomy, a surgeon will remove a portion of the skull to relieve pressure and resolve the bleeding. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

February The night of the shooting, Skye undergoes an emergency craniotomy to relieve the pressure from the swelling in her skull. —Elise Wrabetz, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for craniotomy

• episiotomy
• laparotomy
• osteotomy
• thoracotomy
• tracheotomy
• dichotomy
• lithotomy
• phlebotomy
• tenotomy
• vagotomy
• ovariotomy

Medical Definition

craniotomy

noun

cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈät-ə-mē 

plural craniotomies

1

: the operation of cutting or crushing the fetal head to effect delivery

fetal craniotomies … performed to save the life of the mother

—R. E. Frisch

2

: surgical opening of the skull