Which term refers to the surgical process of crushing?

The term that refers to the surgical process of crushing is "-tripsy." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "tripsis," which means to rub or crush. In medical terminology, it is commonly used in conjunction with specific organs or tissues to indicate the procedure involved in breaking them down. For instance, "lithotripsy" refers to the crushing of stones, such as kidney stones, to facilitate their removal from the body.

The other options denote different surgical procedures. The suffix "-rrhaphy" refers to surgical suturing or stitching. "-tome" denotes an instrument used for cutting, while "-stomy" indicates the creation of an opening, typically in the body. Each of these suffixes defines a specific type of surgical procedure but does not pertain to the act of crushing itself, clarifying why "-tripsy" is the correct choice for this question.