Prostatectomy
/ˌprɒs.təˈtɛk.tə.mi/noun
Surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland.
Did you know?The ending -ectomy comes from Greek ektomē, “a cutting out,” the same surgical root behind many modern medical words that still carry the ancient violence of excision.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
prostátēs
“a protector, guardian, or one who stands before”
Ancient Greek
Greek
prostatēs (gland name)
“the prostate, so called as the gland 'stands before' the bladder”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ektomē
“a cutting out, excision”
19th Century
French/Medical Latin
prostatectomie
“surgical removal of the prostate”
Modern English
English
prostatectomy
“surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland”
Explore more surprising origins