Which suffix refers to the surgical procedure of cutting?

The suffix that refers to the surgical procedure of cutting is indeed -tomy. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "tomia," meaning to cut. In medical terminology, it indicates that a specific body part is being surgically incised or cut into. For example, the term "appendectomy" involves the removal of the appendix, while "thoracotomy" refers to an incision into the chest area.

The other suffixes represent different surgical procedures: -ectomy denotes removal (e.g., hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus), -pexy implies fixation or suspension (as in "nephropexy," which refers to the surgical fixation of a kidney), and -ostomy indicates the creation of an opening (such as in "colostomy," which is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the colon). Understanding these suffixes allows for clearer communication about various surgical procedures and their purposes in the medical field.