What is the medical term for the partial or complete removal of an extremity due to trauma or circulatory disease?

The medical term for the partial or complete removal of an extremity due to trauma or circulatory disease is "amputation." This term specifically refers to the surgical or traumatic removal of a limb or part of a limb. Amputation can be necessitated by various factors, including severe injuries, infections, or diseases such as peripheral artery disease, where blood supply to the extremity is inadequate, leading to tissue death. This makes amputation a critical procedure to preserve the patient’s life or health.

In contrast, the other terms—traction, resection, and excision—do not accurately describe this specific procedure. Traction refers to a method used to align broken bones or relieve pressure on the spine, while resection generally pertains to the surgical removal of a part of an organ or tissue (but not necessarily an extremity). Excision is a broader term that means to cut out or remove tissue but does not specifically indicate the removal of a limb. Therefore, "amputation" is the precise term used within medical terminology for the removal of extremities.