craniotomy

noun

cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈä-tə-mē 

plural craniotomies

: surgical opening of the skull

Examples of craniotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Karpen underwent a full craniotomy, a four-hour procedure that excised most of the tumor. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025

Mellencamp then underwent a craniotomy with tumor resection, and doctors removed four tumors from her brain. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025

Glioblastoma can sometimes be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or brain surgery, called a craniotomy, according to the Cleveland Clinic. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

In the months that followed, her road to recovery was slowed by setbacks, including adverse reactions to chemo and unexpected craniotomies (surgeries) that delayed her treatment. —Lawrence Yee, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for craniotomy

• episiotomy
• laparotomy
• osteotomy
• thoracotomy
• tracheotomy
• dichotomy
• lithotomy
• phlebotomy
• tenotomy
• vagotomy
• ovariotomy

Medical Definition

craniotomy

noun

cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈät-ə-mē 

plural craniotomies

1

: the operation of cutting or crushing the fetal head to effect delivery

fetal craniotomies … performed to save the life of the mother

—R. E. Frisch

2

: surgical opening of the skull