Which term describes a surgical removal procedure?

• A. -algia
• B. -ostomy
• C. -ology
• D. -ectomy

Answer: (D)

A surgical removal is signaled by the suffix -ectomy. This ending specifically means the removal or excision of all or part of an organ or structure, which makes it the best fit for a term describing a surgical removal procedure. For instance, appendectomy removes the appendix, and cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder. The other suffixes have different meanings: -ostomy means creating an opening to the outside or to another organ, -algia denotes pain, and -ology refers to the study of a subject. So the term describing a surgical removal procedure is the one ending in -ectomy.