Meaning & use
gonadectomy
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable or uncountablemedicaltechnical
A surgical operation that removes one or both gonads, the organs that make sex cells.
Grammar: Can be used as a countable noun (a gonadectomy) or uncountable (undergo gonadectomy).
Patterns
- perform a gonadectomy
- undergo a gonadectomy
- bilateral gonadectomy
The patient needed a gonadectomy because of a tumor in one ovary.
In veterinary practice, a gonadectomy is often done to prevent unwanted litters.
After the gonadectomy, hormone replacement therapy may be considered.
Word forms
| plural | gonadectomies |
|---|
Common combinations
- bilateral gonadectomy
- A bilateral gonadectomy removes both gonads at the same time.
- prophylactic gonadectomy
- Prophylactic gonadectomy may be advised for certain genetic conditions.
- undergo gonadectomy
- Some patients undergo gonadectomy as part of gender-affirming care.
- gonadectomy procedure
- The gonadectomy procedure usually takes less than an hour.
Synonyms and how they differ
- castration
- Usually refers specifically to removing the testicles, while gonadectomy can refer to removal of ovaries or testicles.
- oophorectomy
- Means removal of an ovary or ovaries, a type of gonadectomy but more specific.
- orchiectomy
- Means removal of a testicle or testicles, also a specific type of gonadectomy.
Word family
- gonad noun
- The organ that produces sex cells; the structure removed in a gonadectomy.
- gonadal adjective
- Relating to the gonads.
- gonadectomy noun
- The surgical removal of a gonad.
Commonly confused: gonadectomy or castration?
gonadectomy vs castration
Castration often implies removal of the testicles only, while gonadectomy can involve either the testes or the ovaries.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'gonadectomy' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A gonadectomy is the removal of a gonad (ovary or testicle), so removing a dog's ovaries fits. The other options describe unrelated procedures (appendix removal, leg surgery, skin graft), which do not involve gonads.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gonadectomy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.