[ad. L. artēriotomia, Gr. ἀρτηριοτομία, f. ἀρτηριο- (see above) + -τομία cutting; cf. ANATOMY.] The operation of cutting into or opening an artery, esp. for the purpose of blood-letting. Also, that part of anatomy which treats of the dissection of arteries. Arteriotomist, one who practises arteriotomy.
1634. T. Johnson, trans. Parey’s Chirurg., XVII. lix. (1678), 411. Arteritomy, is the opening of an artery.
1683. Phil. Trans., XIII. 224. Arteriotomy formerly used for the Gout.
1876. Bartholow, Mat. Med. (1879), 546. When bloodletting is indicated in intracranial maladies, venesection or arteriotomy is to be preferred.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VIII. 274. There lived at Padua an experienced Arteriotomist.
