From the short bit of the book that I have read so far, I believe that one of Henry Marsh's purposes for writing this book is to show that surgeons aren't perfect, they don't know everything, and definitely do get nerves when performing life changing operations. This quote brings the reader right next to the operating table, and right into Marsh's emotions. When I read this passage, I actually found myself holding my breath and almost cringing...afraid of what was going to happen next. Only after I read it did I realize that surgeons go through that everyday, and they just have to get used to that. I'm excited to delve further into this book and really get inside the minds and thoughts of someone who's job is to literally cut through the mind...

reflected – surgery has its own ancient descriptive language "(7).

Incised (adj.) - made or cut cleanly, as if surgically.

When I walked past the surgery room, I could see the man's incised leg held carefully open by a medical instrument.

Craniectomy (n.) - a neurosurgical procedure in which part of the skull is removed to allow a swelling brain room to expand without being squeezed.

The woman had every right to be nervous for her craniectomy. This was a procedure that had many risks.