Chilotomy

/kaɪˈlɒtəmi/ noun

Definition

A surgical procedure involving the incision, cutting, or surgical alteration of the lip or lip-shaped anatomical structures.

Etymology

From Greek cheilos (lip) and tome (cutting), literally 'lip-cutting.' The term has been used in medical texts since at least the 18th century for various lip and lip-related surgical procedures.

Kelly Says

Before modern reconstructive surgery, chilotomy was a crucial technique for fixing cleft lips and other deformities—it shows how ancient surgical knowledge was passed down through generations of healers!

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