Letter C

Curettage

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The removal of growths or other material from the wall of a cavity or other surface, as with a curet.

A curet, or curette, is a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge.

The word 'curette' comes from French and means a scraper.

The verb 'curer' means to scrape or clean.</P> Curettage may, for example, be used to remove a skin cancer.

After a local anesthetic numbs the area, the cancer is scooped out with a curette.</P> Dilation and curettage (D &amp; C) refers to dilation of the cervix (widening the cervix) and curettement of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).

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