What is the meaning of the suffix -itis?

• A. Inflammation
• B. Infection
• C. Swelling
• D. Disease

Answer: (A)

Suffix -itis signals inflammation of a specific organ or tissue. This naming pattern helps you see what part is affected and what the condition involves. For example, dermatitis means inflammation of the skin, tonsillitis means inflammation of the tonsils, and appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. Inflammation is the body's immune response, often with redness, heat, pain, and sometimes swelling. That’s why this suffix points to an inflammatory process rather than to infection (which is caused by pathogens) or just general swelling (which is a symptom, not the defining idea) or a broad term like disease. So the best answer is inflammation.