-ectomy
surgical removal
From Greek ektome, a cutting out (ek, out + temnein, to cut)
Meaning
What does -ectomy mean?
-ectomy is a suffix meaning surgical removal. It comes from Greek ektome, a cutting out (ek, out + temnein, to cut).
Three look-alikes: -ectomy cuts something out, -otomy cuts into it, and -ostomy makes a lasting opening.
In real words
Medical words with -ectomy
surgery to remove the appendix
hysterectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the uterus
cholecystectomy
surgery to remove the gallbladder · In the dictionary
surgical removal of all or part of a breast, usually to treat breast cancer
surgery to remove all or part of the colon
surgical removal of fatty tissue under the skin
cutting or removing part of each vas deferens, usually as permanent male birth control
surgical removal of the thymus gland
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with -ectomy
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- Suffixes – Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach
- -ECTOMY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
- -ectomy - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Surgery
-ectomy is one of 9 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson