What is the surgical removal of all or part of a lung called?

Boost your medical vocabulary for the SkillsUSA test. Quiz with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Access explanations for each question. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the surgical removal of all or part of a lung called?

Explanation:
The main idea is how medical terms are built from a root that names the body part and a suffix that names the action. Pneumon- refers to the lung, and -ectomy means surgical removal. So pneumonectomy literally means the surgical removal of a lung, which is why it fits this question best. If only a part of the lung is removed, the term would be lobectomy (removal of a lobe). Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space, not lung tissue removal, and pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung.

The main idea is how medical terms are built from a root that names the body part and a suffix that names the action. Pneumon- refers to the lung, and -ectomy means surgical removal. So pneumonectomy literally means the surgical removal of a lung, which is why it fits this question best. If only a part of the lung is removed, the term would be lobectomy (removal of a lobe). Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space, not lung tissue removal, and pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung.

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