What it means
The ending of the name of a procedure that cuts into a body part, without removing it. A tracheotomy cuts into the windpipe, a craniotomy opens the skull, an episiotomy cuts the tissue at the vaginal opening during birth and a laparotomy opens the belly. It is also written -tomy. Compare -ectomyEK-tuh-meeA word ending that means surgical removal.Full entry (removal) and -ostomyOS-tuh-meeA word ending that means a surgically made opening, usually to the outside of the body.Full entry (an opening to the outside).
Remember it
Hear "-otomy", think "anatomy" lessons: cutting into something to look inside.
At a glance
| Also written | -tomy |
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