The suffix -otomy indicates which of the following?

• A. Cutting into, surgical incision
• B. Surgical repair
• C. Pain, suffering
• D. Inflammation

Answer: (A)

In medical terms, the suffix -otomy indicates a surgical incision into a body part. This means the procedure involves cutting into the organ or area to create an opening for examination or treatment. For example, a tracheotomy is an incision into the trachea, a laparotomy is an incision into the abdominal cavity, and a craniotomy is an opening into the skull. That’s why this option best describes the meaning of -otomy. Other suffixes indicate different actions—-ectomy means removal, -ostomy means creating an opening for drainage or passage, -itis means inflammation, and -algia means pain—so they don’t match the idea of making a cut.