The suffix -stomy indicates which concept?

The suffix -stomy indicates which concept?

• A. Closing an opening
• B. Making a new opening
• C. Removing tissue
• D. Stitching

Answer: (B)

The suffix -stomy denotes surgically creating a new opening (a stoma) from an internal organ to the outside or to another surface. This is the idea behind terms like gastrostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy, where an opening is established to allow drainage or passage when the normal route isn’t possible. That’s why this choice is best: it describes making a new opening. It’s not about removing tissue (-ectomy) or stitching (-rrhaphy), and it isn’t about closing an opening.

The suffix -stomy denotes surgically creating a new opening (a stoma) from an internal organ to the outside or to another surface. This is the idea behind terms like gastrostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy, where an opening is established to allow drainage or passage when the normal route isn’t possible. That’s why this choice is best: it describes making a new opening. It’s not about removing tissue (-ectomy) or stitching (-rrhaphy), and it isn’t about closing an opening.