American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which suffix indicates an act of binding or fusion?

1. -scopy

2. -centesis

3. -desis

4. -ectomy

The correct answer is: -desis

The suffix that indicates an act of binding or fusion is indeed -desis. This term is commonly used in medical terminology to describe surgical procedures that involve binding or fusing together tissues or structures. For example, arthrodesis refers to the surgical fusion of a joint. In contrast, the other suffixes have different meanings: - The suffix -scopy refers to the visual examination of a body part, often with an instrument. Examples include endoscopy or laparoscopy, which pertain to viewing the insides of the body. - The suffix -centesis indicates a surgical procedure involving the puncturing of a body cavity to extract fluid or tissue, such as in amniocentesis. - The suffix -ectomy refers to the surgical removal or excision of a part of the body, such as appendectomy (removal of the appendix). Thus, understanding these suffixes helps clarify the specific actions or procedures they denote in medical terminology, emphasizing the unique role of -desis in indicating binding or fusion.