noun
surgical procedure in which spinal nerve roots are cut; done (anterior roots) to relieve intractable pain or (posterior roots) to stop severe muscle spasms
• Hypernyms: ↑operation, ↑surgery, ↑surgical operation, ↑surgical procedure, ↑surgical process
* * *
\\rīˈzäd.əmē\ noun (-es)Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary rhiz- + -tomy
: the operation of cutting the anterior or posterior spinal nerve roots for therapeutic purposes
* * *
/ruy zot"euh mee/, n., pl. rhizotomies. Surg.
the surgical section or cutting of the spinal nerve roots, usually posterior or sensory roots, to eliminate pain.
[1910-15; RHIZO- + -TOMY]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.