Corticotomy
Encyclopedia
In bone
surgery
, a corticotomy is a cutting of the bone that may or may not split it into two pieces (bone fracture
) but involves cortex
only, leaving intact the medullary
vessels
and periosteum
. Corticotomy is particularly important in distraction osteogenesis
.
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, a corticotomy is a cutting of the bone that may or may not split it into two pieces (bone fracture
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
) but involves cortex
Cortex (anatomy)
In anatomy and zoology the cortex is the outermost layer of an organ. Organs with well-defined cortical layers include kidneys, adrenal glands, ovaries, the thymus, and portions of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, the most well-known of all cortices.The cerebellar cortex is the thin gray...
only, leaving intact the medullary
Medullary cavity
The medullary cavity is the central cavity of bone shafts where red bone marrow and/or yellow bone marrow is stored; hence, the medullary cavity is also known as the marrow cavity...
vessels
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
and periosteum
Periosteum
Periosteum is a membrane that lines the outer surface of all bones, except at the joints of long bones. Endosteum lines the inner surface of all bones....
. Corticotomy is particularly important in distraction osteogenesis
Distraction osteogenesis
Distraction osteogenesis, also called callus distraction, callotasis and osteodistraction is a surgical process used to reconstruct skeletal deformities and lengthen the long bones of the body...
.