Which term means to cut into the brain?

• A. Endarterectomy
• B. Encephalitis
• C. Electrocardiography
• D. Encephalotomy

Answer: (D)

To cut into the brain, you look for a term built from brain-related roots plus a cutting or incising suffix. Here, encephal- refers to the brain, and -tomy means cutting or making an incision. Put together, encephalotomy is the surgical act of making an incision into brain tissue.

The other terms point to different ideas: endarterectomy describes removal of the inner lining of an artery, not related to the brain itself; encephalitis means inflammation of the brain; electrocardiography is the recording of the heart’s electrical activity.