Which term denotes inflammation of the mouth?

• A. Rhinitis
• B. Otitis
• C. Stomatitis
• D. Neuritis

Answer: (C)

Inflammation naming uses a suffix that signals an inflamed condition, with the body part indicated by the starting form. For the mouth, the combining form stomat- (or stomato-) means mouth, so inflammation of the mouth is stomatitis. This term covers inflammation of the oral mucosa and related mouth tissues, which can occur from infections, irritants, or treatments like chemotherapy.

The other terms point to inflammation in other areas: rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa, otitis is inflammation of the ear, and neuritis is inflammation of a nerve. Therefore, stomatitis is the correct term for mouth inflammation.