What suffix indicates the process of surgical removal of tissue?

The suffix that signifies the process of surgical removal of tissue is "-ectomy." This term originates from the Greek word "ektomē," which means "to cut out." In the medical field, various procedures involve removing tissue, organs, or parts of organs, and the "-ectomy" designation directly describes those procedures. For example, a "hysterectomy" refers to the surgical removal of the uterus, while an "appendectomy" denotes the removal of the appendix.

The other suffixes mentioned have distinct meanings that do not pertain specifically to the act of removal. For instance, "-plasty" refers to surgical repair or reconstruction of a body part (e.g., rhinoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the nose), "-otomy" denotes an incision or cutting into an organ or structure (such as in a laparotomy), and "-itis" indicates inflammation (as seen in appendicitis, which is inflammation of the appendix). Thus, "-ectomy" is the precise term used for the surgical removal of tissue, making it the correct answer to the question.