Introduction to the Operating Room
LESSON 2: Operating Room Personnel, Policies, and Nomenclature
2-1
Section I. SURGICAL NOMENCLATURE
2-1. INTRODUCTION
a. Discussion. The OR specialist should be familiar with surgical nomenclature, the terminology used in the OR. Knowledge of nomenclature enables the specialist to understand the surgery being performed so that he may prepare for it adequately and assist the surgeon efficiently. Word combinations are used frequently to identify different parts of the body, various disease conditions, or specific operative procedures. Terms used to designate certain operative procedures may be derived from either the name of the surgeon who originally developed the technique or from the anatomical area involved. The terms defined in the following paragraphs (2-1 through 2-11) are intended to supplement the OR specialist's knowledge of medical vocabulary. The specialist can further enhance his understanding of the terminology pertaining to surgical procedures by the use of a standard medical dictionary.
b. Objectives of Surgery. Surgery is usually performed in order to accomplish one of three objectives--to alleviate pain, to cure by removing diseased organs, or to repair or reconstruct a part. The surgical procedures themselves may be classified as follows:
(1) Palliative. A surgical procedure that is intended to relieve pain rather than cure the disease.
(2) Curative. A surgical procedure in which the diseased organ is removed.
(3) Plastic. A surgical procedure in which the part is repaired or reconstructed.
(4) Diagnostic. A surgical procedure for the purpose of diagnosing.
