Lõikus

Lõikus is an Estonian noun formed from the verb lõikama, meaning to cut. It denotes the act or result of cutting, and is used in a variety of contexts to refer to a cut, incision, or cross-section. The term is common in both professional and everyday language.

In medical and surgical contexts, lõikus refers to an incision or to the removal of tissue. A surgical lõikus may be performed to access internal organs, diagnose disease, or remove abnormal tissue such as a tumor. The procedure is typically carried out by a qualified physician or surgeon and may involve anesthesia. Risks associated with surgical lõikus include infection, bleeding, scarring, and reaction to anesthesia; recovery and outcomes depend on the specific operation and patient health.

Beyond medicine, lõikus is used in science to describe tissue sections prepared for analysis under a microscope, or more generally any cross-section or slice of material. In botany and horticulture, the related concept of cutting (lõikus or lõik) can refer to trimming or pruning, as well as to the piece of plant that results from such a cut.

Etymology traces lõikus to the verb lõikama, with a standard Estonian nominal suffix -us, aligning it with related terms in Finno-Ugric languages. The word is thus a foundational term across medical, scientific, and everyday Estonian to describe acts or results of cutting.