craniotomy

n.1. surgical removal of a portion of the skull (cranium), performed to expose the brain and meninges for inspection or biopsy or to relieve excessive intracranial pressure (as in a subdural haematoma). 2. surgical perforation of the skull of a dead fetus during difficult labour, so that delivery may continue.For both operations the instrument used is called a craniotome.

1. surgical removal of a portion of the skull (cranium), performed to expose the brain and meninges for inspection or biopsy or to relieve excessive intracranial pressure (as in a subdural haematoma). 2. surgical perforation of the skull of a dead fetus during difficult labour, so that delivery may continue.For both operations the instrument used is called a craniotome.