Which suffix denotes inflammation?

Which suffix denotes inflammation?

• A. -ism
• B. -pathy
• C. -cyte
• D. -itis

Answer: (D)

Suffixes in medical terms signal what kind of process is happening. When a term ends with -itis, it indicates inflammation of the organ or tissue named by the root. That’s why we see dermatitis for inflammation of the skin, arthritis for inflammation of the joints, and colitis for inflammation of the colon. So the suffix that denotes inflammation is -itis. Other suffixes don’t specifically signal inflammation. -pathy means disease or suffering of a part or organ (for example, neuropathy is a disease of nerves, not necessarily an inflammatory process). -cyte refers to a cell (like erythrocyte, a red blood cell). -ism denotes a condition, state, or sometimes a theory or practice (for example, minimalism), but it does not by itself mean inflammation.

Suffixes in medical terms signal what kind of process is happening. When a term ends with -itis, it indicates inflammation of the organ or tissue named by the root. That’s why we see dermatitis for inflammation of the skin, arthritis for inflammation of the joints, and colitis for inflammation of the colon. So the suffix that denotes inflammation is -itis.

Other suffixes don’t specifically signal inflammation. -pathy means disease or suffering of a part or organ (for example, neuropathy is a disease of nerves, not necessarily an inflammatory process). -cyte refers to a cell (like erythrocyte, a red blood cell). -ism denotes a condition, state, or sometimes a theory or practice (for example, minimalism), but it does not by itself mean inflammation.