Which suffix indicates a surgical incision?

The suffix that indicates a surgical incision is -otomy. This term is derived from the Greek word "tomia," meaning cutting. In the context of medical terminology, -otomy is used in various terms to denote a procedure that involves making an incision into a specific organ or part of the body. For example, a laparotomy refers to an incision into the abdominal cavity, whereas a tracheotomy is an incision made in the trachea to facilitate breathing.

The other choices do not relate to surgical incisions. For instance, -edema refers to swelling caused by fluid accumulation in tissues, -lith pertains to stones (often used in the context of calculus formation in organs like the gallbladder or kidneys), and -fissure denotes a split or cleft, rather than a surgical incision. Each of these suffixes serves a different purpose in medical terminology, thereby clarifying the specific processes or conditions they describe.