Glossectomy
Encyclopedia
A glossectomy is the surgical removal
of all or part of the tongue
. It is performed in order to curtail malignant growth such as oral cancer
. Often only a portion of the tongue needs to be removed, in which case the procedure is called a hemiglossectomy.
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
of all or part of the tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
. It is performed in order to curtail malignant growth such as oral cancer
Oral cancer
Oral cancer is a subtype of head and neck cancer, is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the...
. Often only a portion of the tongue needs to be removed, in which case the procedure is called a hemiglossectomy.