SkillsUSA Health Knowledge Practice Test

This term uses a removal suffix with a root meaning uterus. The word parts tell you what’s being removed: “-ectomy” means surgical removal, and “hyster-” comes from the Greek for uterus. Put together, hysterectomy is the procedure that removes the uterus.

This term is used for conditions requiring uterine removal, such as certain fibroids, cancer, or other uterine disorders. The other terms refer to different organs or procedures: gastrectomy removes the stomach, laparotomy is an opening into the abdominal cavity (not removal), and hepatectomy removes the liver.