apicectomy
|a-pi-sec-to-my|
/ˌeɪpɪˈsɛktəmi/
surgical removal of root tip
Etymology
'apicectomy' originates from a Neo-Latin/medical formation, combining Latin 'apex' (genitive 'apicis') meaning 'tip' and Greek 'ektomē' meaning 'cutting out' (from which the English suffix '-ectomy' derives).
'apicectomy' was formed by joining Latin 'apic-' (from 'apex') with the Greek-derived suffix '-ectomy' (from 'ektomē'). A variant spelling 'apicoectomy' later arose by inserting the connecting vowel 'o' between 'apic' and 'ectomy'.
Initially it literally meant 'cutting off the apex (tip)'; over time it has retained this core sense and become a specialized medical term meaning 'surgical removal of a tooth root apex'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a surgical procedure in endodontics involving removal of the apex (tip) of a tooth root (root-end resection) to treat persistent infection or to gain access to root canal fillings.
The endodontist recommended an apicectomy to remove the infected root tip and save the tooth.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/07 04:14