The suffix -centesis denotes which medical procedure?

The suffix -centesis denotes which medical procedure?

• A. Puncture of a joint
• B. Surgical puncture of
• C. Puncture of the abdomen
• D. Puncture of a vein

Answer: (B)

The suffix -centesis indicates a procedure that involves puncturing a body space to withdraw fluid; it describes the action, not a specific location. That makes the option "surgical puncture of" the best description, because it conveys the act of puncturing to obtain or drain fluid. Examples help illustrate: arthrocentesis is puncture of a joint, paracentesis is puncture of the abdominal cavity, and thoracentesis is puncture of the pleural space. The other choices focus on where the puncture occurs rather than the action denoted by the suffix.

The suffix -centesis indicates a procedure that involves puncturing a body space to withdraw fluid; it describes the action, not a specific location. That makes the option "surgical puncture of" the best description, because it conveys the act of puncturing to obtain or drain fluid. Examples help illustrate: arthrocentesis is puncture of a joint, paracentesis is puncture of the abdominal cavity, and thoracentesis is puncture of the pleural space. The other choices focus on where the puncture occurs rather than the action denoted by the suffix.