Which of the following terms describes a surgical procedure to create an opening in the body?

The term "ostomy" specifically refers to a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the body to allow for the discharge of bodily waste. This procedure is often performed when the normal pathway for waste elimination is blocked or needs to be bypassed due to various medical conditions. For example, a colostomy involves creating an opening in the colon, while an ileostomy involves an opening in the ileum (part of the small intestine).

In contrast to ostomy, other terms have different meanings:

Excision refers to the surgical removal of tissue. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses small incisions and a camera to conduct procedures within the abdominal cavity. A biopsy is the process of taking a sample of tissue for diagnostic purposes. Thus, among the options provided, ostomy is the term that most accurately describes the creation of a surgical opening in the body.