What does endarterectomy mean?
An endarterectomy is a surgical operation that removes the inner lining of an artery together with accumulated atherosclerotic plaque, reopening the vessel so that blood can flow freely again. The name reflects its precise target: Greek-derived elements meaning 'within', 'artery', and 'excision'. By far its most common form is carotid endarterectomy, performed on the main arteries of the neck to clear blockages that could otherwise send clots to the brain and cause a stroke. First carried out successfully in the mid-1950s, the operation has since become one of the most widely performed vascular procedures, with large clinical trials confirming its value for patients with significant carotid narrowing. It stands as an alternative to less invasive treatments such as angioplasty and stenting, which widen the artery rather than physically removing the diseased lining. The word belongs firmly to medical register, encountered mainly in hospital reports, surgical literature, and health journalism.
nounA surgical procedure in which the inner lining of an artery is removed, along with any atherosclerotic plaque, in order to restore normal blood flow through the vessel.
- The surgical removal of atherosclerotic plaque and the inner lining (intima) of an artery, most commonly performed on the carotid arteries to prevent stroke.
"After his transient ischemic attack, the surgeon recommended a carotid endarterectomy to reduce the risk of stroke."
"The patient underwent a carotid endarterectomy after imaging revealed severe narrowing of the left internal carotid artery."
"Endarterectomy of the femoral artery was once a standard treatment for peripheral arterial disease before bypass grafting became widespread."
The plural exists but is uncommon; the word usually appears uncounted when discussing the general procedure.
"The vascular unit performs hundreds of carotid endarterectomies each year."
First performed successfully in 1953, carotid endarterectomy remains one of the most common operations for stroke prevention — clearing out decades of arterial plaque in a single sitting.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of endarterectomy
The word 'endarterectomy' was coined in English from three combining forms: 'endo-' from Greek 'endon' (within), 'arteria' from Greek 'artēria' (artery), and '-ectomy' from Greek 'ektomē' (excision), itself from 'ek' (out) and 'temnein' (to cut). It entered medical vocabulary in the twentieth century alongside the development of vascular surgery. It shares its roots with related terms such as 'artery', 'arterial', 'arteriosclerosis', and other '-ectomy' surgical nouns like 'appendectomy' and 'lobectomy'.
How endarterectomy is actually used
A formal, clinical term used almost exclusively in medical contexts. It nearly always appears modified by the affected artery — most commonly 'carotid endarterectomy', one of the most frequently performed vascular surgeries. Plural use is rare; the term typically functions as an uncountable mass noun referring to the type of procedure.
Easily confused with endarterectomy
Angioplasty uses a balloon catheter to widen a narrowed artery from within, whereas endarterectomy is an open surgical removal of plaque from the artery's inner lining.
Arterectomy refers more generally to the excision of part of an artery or its contents, while endarterectomy specifically targets the inner lining (intima) of the vessel.