Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which suffix means surgical puncture to remove fluid?

1. -dynia

2. -tomy

3. -lysis

4. -centesis

The correct answer is: -centesis

The suffix that means surgical puncture to remove fluid is "centesis." This term is derived from the Greek word "kentesis," which translates to "puncture." In medical terminology, it is commonly used to describe procedures where a needle is inserted into a body cavity or an organ to extract fluid or tissue for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. For example, amniocentesis involves the puncture of the amniotic sac to obtain amniotic fluid for testing purposes during pregnancy. The other suffixes have different meanings: "-dynia" refers to pain, often used to describe conditions involving discomfort; "-tomy" indicates an incision or cutting into an organ or structure, such as in laparotomy and appendectomy; and "-lysis" signifies the breakdown or destruction of cells or tissues. Each of these suffixes serves a distinct function in medical terminology, highlighting the importance of understanding their meanings in the context of surgical procedures and interventions.