thoracotomy

tho·ra·cot·o·my  (thôr-kt-m, thr-)

n. pl. tho·ra·cot·o·mies

Surgical incision of the chest wall.

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[Latin thrx, thrc-, thorax + -tomy.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

thoracotomy - surgical incision into the chest walls opening up the pleural cavity surgical incision, incision, section - the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)