The suffix -ostomy means to surgically create an artificial opening or stoma. A colostomy is a surgical creation of an opening between the colon and the body surface. The root word colo means colon. The suffix -otomy means “surgical cutting into,” or a surgical incision.

What part of the word is ostomy?

word element [Gr.], surgical creation of an artificial opening.

What is the word root in the term colostomy?

colostomy. Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: col/o. 1st Root Definition: colon (large intestine)