Which suffix indicates inflammation?

• A. -megaly
• B. -ology
• C. -pathy
• D. -itis

Answer: (D)

The suffix that signals inflammation is -itis. In medical terms, -itis is attached to the name of an organ or tissue to indicate an inflammatory condition affecting it, as in gastritis (stomach inflammation), dermatitis (skin inflammation), arthritis (joint inflammation), or appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix).

Other suffixes point to different concepts: -megaly means enlargement (splenomegaly: enlarged spleen), -ology denotes the study or science of something, and -pathy refers to a disease or disorder (neuropathy: nerve disease). None of these inherently convey inflammation, which is why -itis is the correct choice.