The suffix indicating removal is?

• A. -ectomy
• B. -itis
• C. -ology
• D. -pathy

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that some suffixes in medical terms indicate what the operation or condition involves. The suffix that signals surgical removal is -ectomy. It comes from Greek and means to cut out or take away. When you see -ectomy, think of removing a part: appendectomy removes the appendix, hysterectomy removes the uterus, nephrectomy removes a kidney. This is different from the other suffixes: -itis denotes inflammation, -ology denotes the study of something, and -pathy denotes disease or suffering. So the suffix indicating removal is -ectomy.