An active examination, usually involving a surgical procedure, to ascertain conditions present within a body cavity as an aid in diagnosis. [L. ex-ploro, pp. -ploratus, to explore]
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n.
(in surgery) an investigative operation on a wound, tissue, or cavity. It may be undertaken to determine the cause of symptoms.
• exploratory adj.
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ex·plo·ra·tion (ek″splə-raґshən) [L. exploratio, from ex out + plorare to cry out] investigation or examination, sometimes including surgery, for diagnostic purposes. exploratory adjMedical dictionary. 2011.