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

Study for the SkillsUSA Medical Terminology Exam. Use our comprehensive quiz to test your knowledge with multiple choice questions and get explanations and hints for each question. Prepare for success!

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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