American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does the suffix -tomy indicate?

1. Incision, cutting

2. Crushing

3. Removal

4. Repair

The correct answer is: Incision, cutting

The suffix -tomy is derived from the Greek word "tomia," which means "to cut" or "cutting." In medical terminology, it specifically refers to an incision or surgical cutting into a part of the body. For instance, in procedures such as "appendectomy" (removal of the appendix) or "laparotomy" (surgical incision into the abdominal cavity), the suffix -tomy indicates that an incision has been made. The other options focus on different actions related to surgical procedures. Crushing is indicated by the suffix -tripsy, removal is commonly associated with the suffix -ectomy, and repair typically uses the suffix -plasty. Each of these suffixes conveys distinct surgical actions, highlighting the specificity of -tomy in reference to incision or cutting. Therefore, the correct choice clearly aligns with the accurate definition and usage of this suffix in medical language.