The suffix -PEXY denotes which concept?

The suffix -PEXY denotes which concept?

• A. Surgical fixation
• B. Cutting instrument
• C. Artificial opening
• D. Incision

Answer: (A)

Understanding medical term suffixes helps you see what the procedure does. The ending -pexy signals fixation or anchoring of an organ in its proper place, meaning the operation is intended to secure the organ rather than remove it, create a new opening, or cut into tissue. That’s why surgical fixation is the best choice. Examples include nephropexy (fixation of the kidney), gastropexy (fixation of the stomach), and oophoropexy (fixation of an ovary). The other endings point to different concepts—for instance, a cutting instrument would be tied to terms associated with cutting tools, while an artificial opening is indicated by -ostomy and an incision by -otomy—so they don’t describe what -pexy means.

Understanding medical term suffixes helps you see what the procedure does. The ending -pexy signals fixation or anchoring of an organ in its proper place, meaning the operation is intended to secure the organ rather than remove it, create a new opening, or cut into tissue. That’s why surgical fixation is the best choice. Examples include nephropexy (fixation of the kidney), gastropexy (fixation of the stomach), and oophoropexy (fixation of an ovary). The other endings point to different concepts—for instance, a cutting instrument would be tied to terms associated with cutting tools, while an artificial opening is indicated by -ostomy and an incision by -otomy—so they don’t describe what -pexy means.