Which term describes the process of irrigation or washing?

The term that describes the process of irrigation or washing is "-clysis." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "klyzein," which means to wash or to cleanse. In medical terminology, it is commonly used to refer to the administration of fluids through various routes to cleanse or hydrate the body; for example, enteroclysis refers to the irrigation of the intestine.

Other suffixes, such as "-plasty," "-sclerosis," and "-pexy," refer to different medical procedures. "-plasty" denotes surgical repair or reconstruction, often used in terms such as rhinoplasty (nose job) or angioplasty (reopening of narrowed blood vessels). "-sclerosis" refers to the hardening of tissue, often used in the context of conditions like multiple sclerosis. "-pexy" refers to surgical fixation, typically in procedures like nephropexy (fixation of the kidney). The specific focus of "-clysis" on washing distinguishes it as the correct choice in this context.