California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test

In medical terminology, the suffix "-tomy" refers specifically to the act of making an incision or cut into a body part or organ. It implies a surgical procedure where a specific area is opened up, usually for surgical exploration, biopsy, or to facilitate access to internal structures. The term is derived from the Greek word 'tomia,' which means 'to cut'.

This suffix is often combined with a prefix that specifies the area of the body involved. For instance, "laparotomy" entails making an incision into the abdominal cavity, while "tracheotomy" involves an incision into the trachea. The focus of "-tomy" is on the cutting action, distinguishing it from other procedures that imply removal or enlargement.

In contrast, other options mention different medical actions: surgical removal relates to "-ectomy," which indicates the removal of a specific part; enlargement refers to "-megaly" for abnormal enlargement of organs; and an X-ray exam pertains to the imaging process, often signified by terms like "radiography." Thus, "-tomy" distinctly emphasizes the surgical incision aspect.