Definition

A medical procedure that involves scraping tissue or growths from a body cavity, often the uterus, using a special instrument called a curette.

Example

The doctor performed a curettage to remove the abnormal tissue from the patient's uterus.

Conversation

I heard you had to undergo curettage last week, how did it go?

It was a bit nerve-wracking, but the doctors were really supportive.

I can imagine! Was it painful after the curettage?

Not too much, just some discomfort, but it’s getting better every day.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Curettage is derived from "curette" (from French *curette*, meaning a small surgical instrument for scraping) and the suffix "-age" (indicating a process or action). The term refers to the process of scraping tissue from a surface, typically in a medical context.

Memory Tip

Think of a small surgical tool used for scraping ('curette') and the action of doing that ('-age'). This helps you remember that curettage is the process of scraping tissue.

Visually Confused Words