What medical term suffix indicates inflammation?

• A. -itis
• B. -kinesia
• C. -lepsy
• D. -listhesis

Answer: (A)

The suffix that indicates inflammation is "-itis." This suffix is commonly used in various medical terms to denote conditions that involve inflammation of a particular organ or tissue. For example, "arthritis" refers to inflammation of the joints, and "gastritis" signifies inflammation of the stomach lining.

The term "-itis" is derived from Greek and has been adopted into medical terminology to consistently convey the presence of inflammation, which is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function in the affected area. This makes it a critical suffix in the diagnosis and description of numerous medical conditions.

In contrast to the other suffixes provided, "-kinesia" relates to movement, "-lepsy" indicates seizure or convulsive attacks, and "-listhesis" refers to slippage, particularly of vertebrae. These definitions show that they do not pertain to inflammation, thereby highlighting the specificity and significance of "-itis" in communicating inflammatory conditions in medical language.