What is the term for the surgical removal of the larynx?

The surgical removal of the larynx is referred to as laryngectomy. This procedure generally involves the complete removal of the larynx, often necessitating an adjustment in the airway, as the larynx plays a critical role in breathing, voice production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration.

Laryngectomy is typically performed in cases of severe laryngeal cancer or significant trauma, and it results in a permanent change to the way a patient breathes and communicates. Understanding the terminology associated with surgical procedures can greatly aid in grasping their implications and the care required afterward.

The other terms provided refer to different procedures: laryngeal excision could imply a less extensive procedure than total removal, laryngeal resection generally involves removing a portion of the larynx, and thyroidectomy pertains to the removal of the thyroid gland, thus highlighting the specificity of the term "laryngectomy" in this context.