Final answer:
3) ostectomy is the surgical removal of bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surgical removal of bone is known as an ostectomy. This medical procedure involves cutting and removing a piece or more of bone tissue, often for therapeutic reasons such as tumor excision, bone infection management, or structural correction. The term derives from the Greek words ‘osteon’ meaning bone, and ‘ectomy’ meaning excision or removal.
To distinguish between the options given, osteotomy is the cutting of the bone, typically to correct bone deformities; arthrectomy refers to the excision of a joint; ostectomy is indeed the removal of bone; and vertebrectomy is the removal of a vertebral body, usually to access the spinal cord or to realign the spine. Therefore, the correct answer to the student’s question is option 3) ostectomy.