In medical terminology, what does '-ectomy' refer to?

The suffix '-ectomy' specifically refers to surgical removal or excision of a body part. This term is derived from Greek, where "ektome" means excision. For example, when a surgeon performs an appendectomy, they are surgically removing the appendix. This suffix is commonly used in various medical procedures and helps convey the type of surgery being performed. Understanding this term is crucial in medical contexts as it clearly indicates that tissue or organ removal is involved, which can have implications for diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.