Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure
castration Audio
cas·tra·tion [ kas-trey-shun ]
Subclass of:
Urogenital Surgical Procedures; Endocrine Surgical Procedures
Etymology:
Latin castrare = to remove the testicle
Today used of any method of abolishing the function of the gonads in either sex.
Definitions related to castration:
  • Surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) or ovaries (oophorectomy) to stop the production of sex hormones. Decreasing the levels of hormones may stop the growth of certain cancers.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Surgical removal or artificial destruction of gonads.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • (surgical castration) Surgical removal of the ovaries or testes.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Castration, Removal of the testes. The procedure stops most production of the hormone testosterone. If done before puberty, it prevents the development of functioning adult sex organs. Castration after sexual maturity makes the sex organs shrink and stop functioning, ending sperm formation and...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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