Programmed review 6.3: -ectomy, excision or removal.
1. When -ectomy appears at the end of a term, it indicates an excision or removal.
2. -ectomy is a compound suffix. Formed by linking ec-, the prefix meaning out or outside, to
the combining form tom/o meaning to cut and the simple suffix -y meaning condition or
process of. Therefore, excision is the act of cutting out and removing all or part of a
structure or organ.
3. Most terms related to excision are formed by a link of the combining form for the structure
or organ to be removed with ectomy, the suffix meaning excision or removal.
4. Simply termed, a lumpectomy is the excision or removal of a lump, specifically a cancerous
or benign lump from the breast. Using mast/o, a combining form meaning breast,
mastectomy means: excision or removal of a breast.
5. Append/o is a combining form for appendix. A patient diagnosed with appendicitis suffers
from inflammation in the appendix. This patient must receive immediate surgery to have
it removed, the procedure is: appendectomy.
