Noun: rhizotomy rI'zó-tu-mee
- Surgical procedure in which spinal nerve roots are cut; done (anterior roots) to relieve intractable pain or (posterior roots) to stop severe muscle spasms
"A selective dorsal rhizotomy was performed to reduce spasticity in the patient's legs"
Derived forms: rhizotomies
Type of: op [informal], operation, surgery, surgical operation, surgical procedure, surgical process
Encyclopedia: Rhizotomy