mastoidectomy

noun

mas·​toid·​ec·​to·​my ˌma-ˌstȯi-ˈdek-tə-mē 

plural mastoidectomies

: surgical removal of part of the mastoid process of the temporal bone

Examples of mastoidectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the 17th century, this was a fairly common procedure to treat acute ear infections, and skulls showing evidence of a mastoidectomy have been found in Croatia (11th century), Italy (18th and 19th centuries), and Copenhagen (19th or early 20th century). —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Feb. 2023

According to the Independent, the placement of the cuts suggests the patient had a mastoidectomy—surgery undertaken to treat an infection of the mastoid bones, which are located just behind each ear. —Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022

In a radical mastoidectomy, the surgeon will first make a cut behind the ear and then use a bone drill to open access to the middle ear cavity. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

mastoid entry 2 + -ectomy

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mastoidectomy

noun

mas·​toid·​ec·​to·​my ˌmas-ˌtȯid-ˈek-tə-mē 

plural mastoidectomies

: surgical removal of the mastoid cells or of the mastoid process of the temporal bone