Suffix meaning 'cut' and used as a base for surgical incisions?

Suffix meaning 'cut' and used as a base for surgical incisions?

• A. -sect
• B. -tomy
• C. -ostomy
• D. -ectomy

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how medical terms indicate cutting into or making an incision. The suffix -tomy means cutting into or making an incision into a body part. It’s used to name procedures that create an opening, such as gastrotomy (an incision into the stomach), enterotomy (an incision into the intestine), or tracheotomy (an incision into the trachea). While -sect also conveys cutting, it’s used more in words that describe the act of cutting apart or separating (dissect, resect) rather than specifically naming an incision into a body part. The other suffixes—-ostomy (opening to the outside) and -ectomy (removal)—describe different procedures and don’t denote the act of making an incision into a structure.

The idea being tested is how medical terms indicate cutting into or making an incision. The suffix -tomy means cutting into or making an incision into a body part. It’s used to name procedures that create an opening, such as gastrotomy (an incision into the stomach), enterotomy (an incision into the intestine), or tracheotomy (an incision into the trachea).

While -sect also conveys cutting, it’s used more in words that describe the act of cutting apart or separating (dissect, resect) rather than specifically naming an incision into a body part. The other suffixes—-ostomy (opening to the outside) and -ectomy (removal)—describe different procedures and don’t denote the act of making an incision into a structure.