Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Diseases by System

-itis

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈaɪtɪs/suffixCommon term

In medicine, -itis means: A word ending added to the name of a body part to mean inflammation of that part, as in tonsillitis, appendicitis or arthritis.

In Turkish: -it, iltihabı

How it is used

One of the most useful word parts in medicine. If you know the root (hepat- liver, gastr- stomach, derm- skin), you can understand hepatitis, gastritis and dermatitis. Inflammation is not always caused by infection.

Example sentences

  1. Her pain was caused by appendicitis, and she went to theatre the same night.

  2. Tonsillitis is very common in children and is usually viral.

Common collocations

  • appendicitis
  • tonsillitis
  • gastritis
  • hepatitis
  • dermatitis
  • infectionAn illness caused when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites enter the body and multiply.
  • acuteStarting suddenly and lasting a short time, often needing quick attention; the opposite of chronic.
  • swellingAn increase in the size of a body part, usually caused by fluid, inflammation or injury, such as swollen ankles or a swollen joint.
  • diagnosisThe decision about which disease or condition is causing a patient's problems, reached after taking a history, examining the patient and doing tests.

More terms: Diseases by System

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.