The suffix -stomy denotes which concept?

• A. Tumor
• B. Surgical opening
• C. Inflammation
• D. Incision

Answer: (B)

Suffix -stomy denotes the surgical creation of an opening, typically linking an internal organ to the outside of the body or to another hollow space. The resulting opening is called a stoma, as in colostomy (opening of the colon to the abdominal wall), gastrostomy (opening of the stomach to the abdominal wall), or tracheostomy (opening in the trachea). This concept is distinct from tumor (-oma) or inflammation (-itis), and it also differs from incision (-tomy), which refers to cutting into tissue rather than forming a lasting opening.