Which term denotes inflammation of the liver?

Which term denotes inflammation of the liver?

• A. Hepatitis
• B. Hepatopathy
• C. Cirro­sis
• D. Cholangitis

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing how medical terms convey meaning. Inflammation is shown by the suffix -itis. When that inflammation concept attaches to the liver, the resulting term is hepatitis, since the liver is represented by the root hepato- (also hepat-). So hepatitis literally means liver inflammation. Hepatopathy refers to liver disease in general, not specifically inflammation. Cirrhosis describes a late-stage scarring and damage of the liver, not the inflammatory process. Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts, not the liver tissue itself.

The main idea here is recognizing how medical terms convey meaning. Inflammation is shown by the suffix -itis. When that inflammation concept attaches to the liver, the resulting term is hepatitis, since the liver is represented by the root hepato- (also hepat-). So hepatitis literally means liver inflammation.

Hepatopathy refers to liver disease in general, not specifically inflammation. Cirrhosis describes a late-stage scarring and damage of the liver, not the inflammatory process. Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts, not the liver tissue itself.