Which suffix means inflammation?

• A. itis
• B. pathy
• C. trophy
• D. malacia

Answer: (A)

The suffix that means inflammation is -itis. It is used to name an inflammatory condition affecting a specific body part when attached to a root word. For example, gastritis is inflammation of the stomach, dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, and tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. The other suffixes have different meanings: -pathy denotes disease or disorder, -trophy refers to development or nourishment, and -malacia indicates softening of tissue. Recognizing -itis helps you identify inflammation quickly in medical terms.