incision
in-SIZH-uhn
/ɪnˈsɪʒ.ən/
A precise surgical cut made into tissue or skin with a scalpel.
Implies a clean, intentional, and controlled cut made for a medical purpose, distinct from an accidental tear or laceration.
The story behind the word. From Latin incisio, coming from incidere, meaning 'to cut into'. The root caedere appears across many English words involving cutting.
Word relationships
- cut: Cut is general and informal, whereas incision specifies a precise surgical entry.
- gash: Gash implies a deep, rough, accidental wound.
- suture: A suture closes tissue together, whereas an incision opens tissue up.
Commonly confused with
- laceration: A laceration is a jagged, accidental tear in tissue, while an incision is a neat, deliberate surgical cut.
Word family
- incise (verb): To cut into tissue with a sharp tool.
- incisive (adjective): Analytically sharp and clear.
Collocations
- surgical incision
- make an incision
- incision site
- abdominal incision
Example sentences
- "The surgeon made a small abdominal incision to insert the laparoscopic camera." Surgical procedure description
- "The nursing staff inspected the surgical incision daily to check for signs of infection." Postoperative wound monitoring
Memory hook
IN + SCISSORS (cis) = cutting into something. Cut into tissue.
When not to use
Do not use for accidental cuts, scratches, or jagged wounds.
Fun facts
- Modern surgical incisions are often made using electrocautery pens rather than steel blades to minimize bleeding.
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