What does the suffix "-tomy" in medical terminology typically refer to?

The suffix "-tomy" in medical terminology is derived from the Greek word "tomia," which means "to cut." This suffix is used to denote a surgical procedure that involves making an incision or cut into a specific part of the body. Common examples include "laparotomy" (an incision into the abdominal cavity) and "tracheotomy" (an incision into the trachea).

In contrast, the other options reflect different medical terminology concepts. "Inflammation" is typically indicated by the suffix "-itis," while "study of" corresponds to "ology," as seen in "cardiology" (the study of the heart). The term "repair" would most commonly use the suffix "-plasty," as in "rhinoplasty" (surgical repair of the nose). Thus, the correct association of "-tomy" specifically pertains to procedures involving cutting, making it the accurate answer.