This suffix means "puncture" or "surgical puncture" and is often used in medical terms to describe procedures that involve piercing a body cavity or organ with a needle to extract fluid or introduce substances.
For example:
* Amniocentesis: Puncture of the amniotic sac to obtain amniotic fluid for testing.
* Thoracentesis: Puncture of the chest cavity to remove fluid or air.
* Arthrocentesis: Puncture of a joint to remove fluid.