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craniotomy

(KRAY-nee-AH-toh-mee)
An operation in which a small hole is made in the skull or a piece of bone from the skull is removed to show part of the brain. A craniotomy may be done to remove a brain tumor or a sample of brain tissue. It may also be done to remove blood or blood clots from the brain, relieve pressure in the brain after an injury or stroke, repair a skull fracture or brain aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel wall), or treat other brain conditions. The piece of bone that is removed from the skull is usually put back in place after the surgery has been done.
Drawing of a craniotomy showing a section of the scalp that has been pulled back to remove a piece of the skull; the dura covering the brain has been opened to expose the brain. The layer of muscle under the scalp is also shown.Enlarge this image in new window
Craniotomy: An opening is made in the skull and a piece of the skull is removed to show part of the brain.
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