If a medical term ends with -centesis, what does it indicate?

Prepare for the Medical Terminology Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question to strengthen your understanding. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a medical term ends with -centesis, what does it indicate?

Explanation:
The main idea is that the suffix -centesis denotes a puncture performed to remove fluid from a body area. That’s why “surgical puncture” is the best description. Think of procedures like thoracentesis, paracentesis, and amniocentesis—each involves puncturing a space to aspirate fluid. Other suffixes point to different actions, such as -ectomy for removal, -plasty for repair, and -pexy for fixation, which is why those options don’t fit the meaning of -centesis.

The main idea is that the suffix -centesis denotes a puncture performed to remove fluid from a body area. That’s why “surgical puncture” is the best description. Think of procedures like thoracentesis, paracentesis, and amniocentesis—each involves puncturing a space to aspirate fluid. Other suffixes point to different actions, such as -ectomy for removal, -plasty for repair, and -pexy for fixation, which is why those options don’t fit the meaning of -centesis.

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