laminectomy

noun, plural lam·i·nec·to·mies.

1. the surgical removal of part of the posterior arch of a vertebra to provide access to the spinal canal, as for the excision of a ruptured disk.

noun plural -mies

1. surgical incision into the backbone to gain access to the spinal cordAlso called: rachiotomy

n.

1. Excision of a vertebral lamina.rachiotomy