Which suffix denotes a surgical incision?

• A. -otomy
• B. Osteon
• C. Endosteum
• D. Cost/o

Answer: (A)

A surgical incision is indicated by the suffix -otomy, which comes from Greek and means cutting into or creating an opening. This suffix is used in terms like tracheotomy or craniotomy, where the procedure involves making a deliberate incision to access a body part. The other terms relate to anatomy rather than an incision: osteon is the bone’s microscopic structural unit, endosteum is the inner membrane lining of bone, and cost/o refers to the rib. So -otomy best denotes a surgical incision.