Which term describes the surgical process of making an incision into an organ or tissue?

The term that describes the surgical process of making an incision into an organ or tissue is 'otomy.' In medical terminology, '-otomy' is a suffix that indicates a cutting or incision into a body part. For example, a laparotomy refers to an incision into the abdominal cavity, and a tracheotomy refers to an incision into the trachea. This term specifically pertains to the act of cutting for examination, access, or treatment.

In contrast, 'extirpation' refers to the surgical removal of tissue or organ entirely, while 'stomy' denotes the creation of an opening, such as in colostomy or ileostomy, where a new opening in the digestive tract is created to facilitate waste elimination. The term 'ectomy' similarly indicates the removal of a body part or organ, like in appendectomy (removal of the appendix) or mastectomy (removal of breast tissue). Understanding these distinctions is crucial in medical terminology as it aids in accurately describing surgical procedures and their intents.