Which of the following denotes the act of removing tissue surgically?

The suffix "-ectomy" specifically refers to the surgical removal of tissue or an organ from the body. This term is derived from the Greek word "ektome," which means "a cutting out." For example, a "appendectomy" involves the surgical removal of the appendix. When you see this suffix, it signifies that some type of surgical excision is involved.

In contrast, other suffixes represent different medical procedures or conditions. For example, "-tripsy" refers to crushing or breaking down tissue, commonly associated with procedures like "lithotripsy," which is the treatment for kidney stones. The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of an organ or tissue, as in "gastritis," which indicates inflammation of the stomach lining. Finally, "-gram" usually denotes a record or image, such as in "angiogram," which is a picture of blood vessels taken during a special X-ray.

Thus, "-ectomy" is distinctly recognized in medical terminology for its association with surgical removal, making it the correct answer to this question.