If a patient has hepatitis, which organ is inflamed?

Study for the Introduction to Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a patient has hepatitis, which organ is inflamed?

Explanation:
Hepatitis describes inflammation of the liver. The word combines hepat- meaning liver with -itis meaning inflammation, so the organ affected is the liver. The liver handles detoxification, metabolism, and bile production, so when it’s inflamed, those functions can be disrupted and you may see signs like jaundice or elevated liver enzymes. The other organs—heart, lungs, and stomach—have their own inflammatory terms (myocarditis, pneumonitis, gastritis), so they don’t fit the definition of hepatitis.

Hepatitis describes inflammation of the liver. The word combines hepat- meaning liver with -itis meaning inflammation, so the organ affected is the liver. The liver handles detoxification, metabolism, and bile production, so when it’s inflamed, those functions can be disrupted and you may see signs like jaundice or elevated liver enzymes. The other organs—heart, lungs, and stomach—have their own inflammatory terms (myocarditis, pneumonitis, gastritis), so they don’t fit the definition of hepatitis.

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