lithotomy
(lɪˈθɒtəmɪ)
[ad. late L. lithotomia, a. Gr. λιθοτοµία, f. λίθο-ς stone + -τοµία cutting.]
1. The operation, art, or process of cutting for stone in the bladder.
| 1721 in Bailey. 1722 in Quincy Lex. Phys.-Med. (ed. 2). 1783 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) X. 8431/1 (marg.) Lithotomy reckoned exceedingly dangerous by the ancients. 1800 Med. Jrnl. III. 193, I was induced to make use of a Bistoire Caché, in the operation of Lithotomy. 1846 F. Brittan tr. Malgaigne's Man. Oper. Surg. 508 Three principal methods: perineal lithotomy, recto-vesical lithotomy, hypo⁓gastric lithotomy. 1875 Sir W. Turner in Encycl. Brit. I. 815/1 The lateral operation of lithotomy. |
| attrib. 1871 Holmes Syst. Surg. (ed. 2) V. 1083 Surgeons seem still divided in opinion as to whether a lithotomy knife should or should not be beaked. 1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 699 Lithotomy scoops or forceps. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 271 The patient was placed in the lithotomy position. Ibid. 344 A lithotomy tube was passed into the bladder, and tied in. |
† 2. [After Gr.] A quarry. Obs.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Lithotomy, a Masons Work-house, or quarry; also a Prison. D. Br. [i.e. Sir T. Browne] useth it. |
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Add: 3. Special Comb. lithotomy position Obstetr., a position of the body similar to that required for lithotomy, in which a person lies supine with the legs raised in stirrups, flexed and apart.
| 1879 St. George's Hospital Rep. IX. 271 The patient was placed in the lithotomy position. 1958 J. Barth End of Road xii. 220 Rennie's legs were drawn up and spread wide in the lithotomy position. 1967 Amer. Jrnl. Obstetr. & Gynecol. XCVII. 871/1 (heading) Femoral neuropathy from the lithotomy position: case report and new leg holder for prevention. 1984 Sunday Tel. 19 Feb. 11/1 The Princess will be sent screeds of literature about the new fashions in giving birth—the lithotomy (lying down) position is now out, the squatting position and the ‘borning chair’ are now in. |