The suffix meaning reconstruction is which?

• A. Litho
• B. Embol
• C. Bronchiolo
• D. -plasty

Answer: (D)

The suffix -plasty indicates surgical reconstruction or repair of a structure. It tells you the procedure is about reshaping, repairing, or forming tissue anew. That’s why it fits reconstruction best. For example, rhinoplasty is a procedure to reconstruct or reshape the nose, blepharoplasty repairs the eyelids, and angioplasty involves repairing or restoring function to a vessel by widening it. The other roots describe what the tissue is or what problem exists (litho- means stone; embol- refers to a blockage from an embolus; bronchiolo- relates to the small airways), not reconstruction.