resection
UK[rɪˈsɛkʃən]US[rɪˈsɛkʃən]
n
The surgical removal of part of an organ or structure.
n
The action or process of cutting something out or off.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
sect
ion
re
again/back
sect
cut
ion
action/process
Etymology
The word "resection" is built from classical components that precisely describe its medical meaning. Its core is the Latin root sect-, from the verb secare, meaning "to cut," which is also the source of words like "section" and "dissect." The prefix re-, meaning "back" or "again," implies a cutting back or removal. Combined with the noun-forming suffix -ion, the term literally denotes "the process of cutting back." In modern medical terminology, this literal sense evolved into the specific procedure of surgically cutting out a portion of tissue or bone.
Analysis
Structure: re (again/back) + sect (cut) + ion (action/process)
- re: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "again" or "back."
- sect: Latin origin (from secare, "to cut"). A root meaning "to cut."
- ion: Latin/French origin. A noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Examples
The surgeon performed a partial liver resection to remove the tumor.
Bowel resection is a common treatment for severe Crohn's disease.
The planned resection of the damaged cartilage will hopefully relieve the patient's pain.