HOSA Medical Terminology – Prefixes and Suffixes Practice Test 2026 - Free Medical Terminology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The suffix "-tomy" originates from the Greek word "tomia," which means "to cut." In medical terminology, it specifically refers to the act of making an incision or cutting into a specific part of the body. This suffix is commonly used in various surgical terms, such as "appendectomy" (removal of the appendix, which involves cutting) and "laparotomy" (cutting into the abdominal cavity). Therefore, the definition that aligns with "-tomy" is indeed the process of cutting.

The other options provide related but distinct meanings which don't capture the essence of the term "-tomy." For instance, "process of opening" does not necessarily imply cutting, while "process of removal" relates more to the act of excising or taking out, which may involve cutting but does not focus on the act itself. "Suture," on the other hand, refers specifically to the stitching of tissues after a cut, which is separate from the act of cutting itself.