Leucotome
Leucotome
Leucotome (pronounced: loo-ko-tohm) is a medical instrument used in leucotomy, a form of psychosurgery.
Etymology
The term "leucotome" is derived from the Greek words "leuko" meaning "white" and "tome" meaning "cutting instrument".
Definition
A leucotome is a long, thin instrument with a loop of wire at the end, which is used to cut brain tissue. It was primarily used in the mid-20th century for the procedure known as leucotomy or lobotomy, a surgical operation that involves severing connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe.
Related Terms
- Leucotomy: Also known as lobotomy, it is a neurosurgical procedure, a form of psychosurgery, also known as a prefrontal lobotomy. It consists of cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain.
- Psychosurgery: It is the name for surgical interventions performed on the brain to treat mental disorder. The most common type of psychosurgery performed now is called cingulotomy, which is used to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Prefrontal Cortex: This is part of the brain located at the front of the frontal lobe. It is involved in a variety of complex behaviors, including planning, and greatly contributes to personality development.
- Neurosurgery: This is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Leucotome
- Wikipedia's article - Leucotome
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