What is the difference between the suffixes "-ectomy," "-otomy," and "-ostomy"?

These three suffixes all relate to surgery but describe different procedures. Ectomy means surgical removal, as in appendectomy which is removal of the appendix or cholecystectomy which is removal of the gallbladder. Otomy means surgical incision or cutting into, as in tracheotomy which is cutting into the trachea or craniotomy which is cutting into the skull. Ostomy means creating a permanent or semi-permanent opening, as in colostomy which creates an opening from the colon to the abdominal surface or tracheostomy which creates a permanent opening in the trachea.