What does the suffix "ectomy" refer to?

The suffix "ectomy" specifically refers to the surgical excision or removal of a body part or tissue. This term is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate procedures where a specific organ or tissue is surgically removed. For example, an appendectomy is the removal of the appendix and a tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils.

The other terms, while related to medical procedures, have different meanings. Incision refers to a cut made during surgery, visual examination implies a procedure to view or inspect an area without removal, and measurement concerns quantifying dimensions or volumes, none of which align with the specific meaning of "ectomy." Therefore, recognizing that "ectomy" denotes a procedure involving excision is critical for understanding various medical contexts.