chemonucleolysis /-no̅o̅′klē·ol″isis-/ [Gk, chemeia + L, nucleus, nut kernel; Gk, lysein, to loosen] , a method of dissolving the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk by the injection of a chemolytic agent, such as the enzyme chymopapain. The procedure is used primarily in the treatment of a herniated disk and other intervertebral disk lesions.
