Amputations are surgical procedures in which a body part is removed due to disease, injury, or deformity. The term amputation is commonly associated with the loss of limbs, but it can also refer to the removal of other body parts such as the breast or the tongue. Synonyms for amputation include ablation, disarticulation, excision, resection, and severance. Ablation specifically refers to the removal of tissue or the destruction of a body part using heat, cold, or radiation. Disarticulation refers to the separation of two bones that form a joint. Excision refers to the removal of a portion or all of an organ or tissue. Resection refers to the removal of a part of an organ or tissue. Severance refers to the complete separation of a body part from the rest of the body.