What does ovariotomy mean?
Ovariotomy is a surgical operation involving the removal of an ovary. It may be described as unilateral when one ovary is removed and bilateral when both are removed. The term is especially associated with historical surgery for ovarian tumours and other severe ovarian disease, although it remains a valid medical term in modern clinical contexts. Its name reflects its structure: the first element derives from the Latin word for the ovary, while the second comes from Greek and refers to cutting. Ovariotomy should not be confused with oophorectomy or ovariectomy, which are modern names for the same procedure. The term is principally used in medical and historical contexts, where precision about the organ and the nature of the operation is important.
nounA surgical operation in which an ovary is removed.
- The surgical removal of an ovary.
"The patient underwent an ovariotomy after a malignant ovarian tumour was diagnosed."
"An ovariotomy was scheduled after further examination of the ovarian mass."
"Historical surgical accounts describe ovariotomy as a major operation performed for severe ovarian disease."
The plural refers to multiple operations of this kind and is used mainly in medical and historical writing.
"Early surgeons pioneered ovariotomies despite the substantial risks of the procedure."
Ovariotomy literally means “cutting out an ovary,” joining Latin ovarium to the Greek sense of cutting.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ovariotomy come from?
The first element of ovariotomy comes through Latin ovarium, meaning “egg” or “ovary,” from ovum, “egg.” The second element derives from Greek tome, a cutting, associated with temnein, “to cut.” The combined term developed as a name for the operation, and related English words such as ovarian and ovule share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How ovariotomy is actually used
This is a specialist medical term. In contemporary clinical writing, oophorectomy and ovariectomy are often preferred because they clearly specify the removal of an ovary.
Easily confused with ovariotomy
An ovariectomy is the same operation under another name; ovariotomy is the older, more specialized term.