What is the term for the surgical removal of the spleen?

The term for the surgical removal of the spleen is splenectomy. The spleen is an organ situated in the upper left abdomen that plays a role in filtering blood and supporting the immune system. When it is necessary to remove the spleen due to conditions such as trauma, splenic rupture, certain blood disorders, or tumors, the procedure is specifically referred to as a splenectomy.

The other terms reference different surgical procedures: hepatectomy pertains to the removal of part or all of the liver, nephrectomy indicates the removal of a kidney, and pneumonectomy refers to the removal of a lung. Each term is distinct and relates to different organs, signifying the importance of knowing the correct terminology associated with various surgical procedures.