Definition

This is a medical procedure where one or both adrenal glands, which are small glands located on top of the kidneys, are surgically removed.

Example

The doctor recommended an adrenalectomy to treat the patient's adrenal tumor.

Conversation

Have you heard about the adrenalectomy my friend had last week?

No, I haven't! What was it for?

She had to get it because of some health issues with her adrenal glands.

Wow, I hope she's recovering well after such a big surgery.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Adrenalectomy is formed from "adrenal" (from Latin "ad" meaning to and "renes" meaning kidneys, referring to the adrenal glands located above the kidneys) and "-ectomy" (from Greek "ektomē" meaning excision or removal). The term refers to the surgical removal of the adrenal glands, which are situated near the kidneys.

Memory Tip

Think of 'adrenal' meaning 'related to the kidneys' and '-ectomy' meaning 'removal' — so adrenalectomy is the removal of the glands that sit on top of the kidneys.

Visually Confused Words