The suffix -otomy denotes which meaning?

• A. Against
• B. Cutting of
• C. Creating an entrance to
• D. Within

Answer: (B)

Suffix -otomy signals that a procedure involves cutting into a structure. It denotes the act of incising or opening the part to gain access, rather than simply creating an external opening. For example, a tracheotomy is cutting into the trachea, a craniotomy is cutting into the skull, and a laparotomy is an incision into the abdominal cavity. The other ideas don’t fit because they reflect different concepts: “against” describes a prefix like anti-, “within” points to intra- or endo-, and creating an entrance to the body is described by -ostomy, not -otomy.