What is the meaning of the suffix "stomy"?

The suffix "stomy" refers to the creation of a new opening in a structure of the body, often for the purpose of diverting the flow of bodily fluids or providing an alternate route for waste elimination. It is commonly used in medical terminology to denote surgical procedures that involve creating an opening, such as colostomy or ileostomy, where a portion of the bowel is brought to the surface of the abdomen to allow for waste to exit the body.

This understanding highlights the functional aspect of the suffix in medical procedures, distinguishing it from other options; for instance, "incision" pertains to cutting into tissue without the implication of creating a new opening, while "measurement" relates to quantifying dimensions, and "process of recording" refers to the documentation aspect rather than the establishment of an opening. Therefore, the correct interpretation of "stomy" aligns with the definition of creating a new opening.