Term: Decorticate
Definition: Decorticate refers to the surgical removal of the outer layer or covering of an organ, structure, or tissue, often used in the context of removing fibrous tissue from the lungs or pleura.
Phonetic Pronunciation: (dee-KOR-ti-kate)
Etymological Origin: The term "decorticate" is derived from the Latin word decorticare, meaning "to strip off bark," with de- meaning "off" or "away" and cortex meaning "bark" or "outer layer." Historically, it has been used in medical contexts to describe the removal of outer layers, particularly in surgical procedures.
Significance in Asbestos Context: In the field of asbestos-related diseases, decortication is a surgical procedure that may be performed to remove thickened pleural layers or fibrous tissue caused by asbestos exposure. This procedure can help improve lung function in patients suffering from conditions like diffuse pleural thickening or pleural fibrosis, which are common complications of asbestos exposure. Decortication is also relevant in cases of mesothelioma, where it may be part of a palliative or curative surgical approach.
Synonyms or Related Terms: Pleural decortication, surgical stripping, fibrous tissue removal.
Example Sentence: "The patient underwent a decorticate procedure to alleviate the restrictive lung function caused by asbestos-induced pleural thickening."
Common Misconceptions:
