Definition

A surgical procedure that involves cutting the roots of spinal nerves to help reduce pain or control high blood pressure.

Example

The doctor recommended a rhizotomy to alleviate the patient's chronic pain.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a rhizotomy?

Yeah, I think it's a type of surgery for chronic pain.

Exactly! I read that it involves cutting spinal nerve roots.

That sounds intense, but it might really help some people.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rhizotomy → It is formed from "rhizo-" (from Greek "rhiza", meaning root) and "-tomy" (from Greek "tomia", meaning cutting). The word refers to the surgical procedure of cutting a root, specifically a nerve root.

Memory Tip

Think of 'roots' ('rhizo-') being 'cut' ('-tomy') — that's why rhizotomy means cutting a root.

Visually Confused Words