A circular opening cut into the skull to reveal brain tissue and decrease intracranial pressure is called a:
A) tractotomy.
B) thalamotomy.
C) cryosurgery.
D) trephination.
E) stereotaxy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Trephination is the surgical procedure of creating a circular opening in the skull. It was historically performed to treat a variety of conditions like headaches and seizures, and to relieve intracranial pressure by allowing the brain tissue to expand. Nowadays, it is rarely performed except in some cases of traumatic brain injury or when other surgical interventions are not feasible.

A Circular Opening Cut into the Skull to Reveal Brain