The surgical removal of part or all of an organ, tissue, or anatomical structure. It is commonly performed to remove diseased tissue, tumors, or damaged portions of organs while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
From Latin 'resectio' meaning a cutting off, derived from 're' meaning back and 'secare' meaning to cut. The term entered medical vocabulary in the 18th century as surgical techniques became more sophisticated.
Modern resection techniques can be incredibly precise - surgeons can remove brain tumors while the patient is awake and talking, ensuring they don't damage areas controlling speech or movement. Some liver resections remove up to 75% of the organ, which then regenerates to nearly full size within months!
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