Define "laparotomy."

Laparotomy is a surgical procedure characterized by a large incision made into the abdominal cavity. This approach allows surgeons to gain direct access to the organs within the abdomen for diagnosis or treatment of various medical conditions such as appendicitis, trauma, or ovarian tumors. It is often utilized when a wide field of view and manipulation of abdominal contents are necessary, making it a fundamental technique in abdominal surgery.

The other options relate to different types of surgical procedures. For instance, an incision into the hand or the chest does not pertain to laparotomy, which is specifically focused on the abdomen. Furthermore, the mention of a small incision does not align with the definition of a laparotomy; instead, it suggests procedures like laparoscopic surgery, which involves smaller incisions and is minimally invasive. Laparotomy is distinguished by its larger incision size and broader access, making option C the accurate definition.