The suffix -itis indicates which of the following?

• A. Inflammation
• B. Pain, suffering
• C. Abnormal condition, disease
• D. Surgically create an opening

Answer: (A)

The suffix -itis marks inflammation of the named organ or tissue. When you see -itis attached to a root, think of an irritated, inflamed condition, such as dermatitis (skin inflammation), gastritis (stomach inflammation), or appendicitis (appendix inflammation). This is different from suffixes that describe other concepts: -algia means pain (neuralgia is nerve pain), -osis indicates an abnormal condition or disease, and -ostomy (or -otomy) refers to surgically creating an opening. So the term in question points to inflammation, making it the correct choice.