antrotome
|an-tro-tome|
🇺🇸
/ˈæntrətoʊm/
🇬🇧
/ˈæntrətəʊm/
instrument for opening a cavity
Etymology
'antrotome' originates from New Latin/Greek, specifically from the Greek words 'antron' and 'tomē', where 'antron' meant 'cave, cavity (antrum)' and 'tomē' meant 'a cutting' or 'slice'.
'antrotome' was formed in modern medical Latin as a compound of the combining form 'antro-' + the suffix '-tome' and entered English usage in the 19th century as the name for an instrument used to open an antrum.
Initially, it referred to an instrument for cutting into an antrum, and this specific medical meaning has been retained in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a surgical instrument used to open or cut into an antrum (especially the maxillary antrum).
The surgeon used an antrotome to access the maxillary antrum.
Last updated: 2025/09/13 03:14