Which suffix indicates 'inflammation'?

• A. -itis
• B. -osis
• C. -ectomy
• D. -ostomy

Answer: (A)

The suffix that signals inflammation is -itis. This ending is used in medical terms to name an inflammatory condition affecting the specific organ or tissue described by the root. For example, gastritis means inflammation of the stomach, dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, and appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The idea is that -itis flags an inflammatory process rather than simply a disease or a surgical procedure.

Other endings carry different meanings. -osis denotes a condition or a process (not necessarily inflammation), -ectomy means surgical removal, and -ostomy means creating a new opening. So recognizing -itis helps you identify inflammation quickly across terms like nephritis (kidney inflammation) or arthritis (joint inflammation).