What is the medical term for surgery performed on the brain?

The medical term for surgery performed on the brain is craniotomy. This procedure involves making an opening in the skull to access the brain for various reasons, including the removal of tumors, the repair of damaged areas, or the treatment of brain disorders. The term "craniotomy" itself describes the specific action of removing a portion of the skull, differentiating it from other surgical procedures.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different surgical procedures: tracheostomy is the creation of an opening in the trachea to assist with breathing, salpingo-oophorectomy involves the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and prostatectomy refers to the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes the unique nature of craniotomy in addressing issues related to the brain specifically.