Which suffix means surgical removal?

Which suffix means surgical removal?

• A. -ectomy
• B. -ostomy
• C. -otomy
• D. -plasty

Answer: (A)

Suffixes in medical terminology tell you what is done to a body part. The ending -ectomy indicates surgical removal of all or part of an organ or structure. That makes it the best fit for “surgical removal,” as seen in terms like appendectomy (removal of the appendix) or gastrectomy (removal of part or all of the stomach). The other suffixes describe different procedures: -ostomy creates an opening for drainage; -otomy means making an incision into a structure; -plasty refers to reshaping or repairing tissue. So the suffix -ectomy conveys the idea of surgical removal.

Suffixes in medical terminology tell you what is done to a body part. The ending -ectomy indicates surgical removal of all or part of an organ or structure. That makes it the best fit for “surgical removal,” as seen in terms like appendectomy (removal of the appendix) or gastrectomy (removal of part or all of the stomach). The other suffixes describe different procedures: -ostomy creates an opening for drainage; -otomy means making an incision into a structure; -plasty refers to reshaping or repairing tissue. So the suffix -ectomy conveys the idea of surgical removal.