elytro-comb. form of Gr. ἔλυτρον sheath, used = vagina in various medical terms, as † elytroˈcele, vaginal hernia. elytroˈplasty, the operation of closing a vesico-vaginal fistulous opening by borrowing a flap from the labia or nates: hence elytroˈplastica.elyˈtrorrhaphy, the operation of closing the orifice of the vagina by suture in order to support the uterus when prolapsed; the suturing of a ruptured vagina.1872F. Thomas Dis. Women 195 Elytroplasty is still employed sometimes where great destruction of tissue has taken place at the base of the bladder.Ibid. 169 The operation of elytrorrhaphy.
elytro-
word-forming element used for "vagina" in medical terms, from Greek elytron, literally "sheath" (see elytra). Related: Elytral.
elytro-/ˈɛlɪtrəʊ/combining form (now rare) of Greek elutron sheath: see -o-.Used chiefly in Medicine, with sense ‘of the vagina’. Cf. colpo-.