The suffix -centesis indicates which procedure?

The suffix -centesis indicates which procedure?

• A. Incision
• B. Drainage
• C. Surgical puncture
• D. Injection

Answer: (C)

The suffix centesis means puncture to withdraw fluid or obtain a sample. So this describes a surgical puncture, typically performed with a needle or instrument to access a body cavity or joint and remove fluid or tissue for examination or relief. Examples include thoracentesis (removing fluid from the chest), paracentesis (from the abdominal cavity), amniocentesis (amniotic fluid), and arthrocentesis (a joint). It’s different from an incision, which is cutting open tissue, and from an injection, which introduces fluid into the body. Drainage is a broader idea of removing fluid and may involve tubes, whereas centesis specifically denotes the puncture used to aspirate.

The suffix centesis means puncture to withdraw fluid or obtain a sample. So this describes a surgical puncture, typically performed with a needle or instrument to access a body cavity or joint and remove fluid or tissue for examination or relief. Examples include thoracentesis (removing fluid from the chest), paracentesis (from the abdominal cavity), amniocentesis (amniotic fluid), and arthrocentesis (a joint). It’s different from an incision, which is cutting open tissue, and from an injection, which introduces fluid into the body. Drainage is a broader idea of removing fluid and may involve tubes, whereas centesis specifically denotes the puncture used to aspirate.