transthoracic

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /trænsˈθɔrɪk/

KK: /trænsˈθɔrɪk/

adjective

Definition

Relating to or occurring across the chest or thoracic cavity.

Example

The doctor performed a transthroacic procedure to access the heart.

Conversation

I heard they performed a transthoracic approach in the latest surgery documentary.

Really? That sounds intense! What does that even mean?

It means they went through the chest wall during the procedure.

Got it! That must make the recovery process quite different.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

thoracic

chest

intrathoracic

Antonyms

abdominal

pelvic

external

Root Explanation

Transthoracic → It is formed from "trans-" (meaning across) and "thorax" (from Greek "thorax", meaning chest) and the suffix "-ic" (meaning pertaining to). The word "transthoracic" refers to something that pertains to or occurs across the chest.

Memory Tip

Think of 'across' ('trans-') and 'chest' ('thorax') to remember that 'transthoracic' means something that happens across the chest.

Visually Confused Words