Which suffix means inflammation?

• A. -ium
• B. -ism
• C. -ist
• D. Inflammation

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how medical terms indicate inflammation through a suffix. The suffix that signals inflammation is -itis. It attaches to a word root to name an inflammatory condition, as in dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils).

The other suffixes shown have different meanings: -ium typically forms names of structures or tissues (like myocardium), -ism denotes a condition or state (such as realism or hypothyroidism), and -ist refers to a person who practices or specializes in something (like dentist or biologist). The term inflammation itself is a noun describing the state, not a suffix.

So, the suffix that means inflammation is -itis; the options listed do not include it.