Dentistry · Oral & Dental · Medium
Glossitis
Meaning: Inflammation of the tongue, often making it smooth, red and sore.
In practice: Her smooth, beefy red tongue with glossitis prompted tests for iron and B12 deficiency.
Word parts
- -itis means inflammation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related dentistry words.
Which word means: A flat back tooth used for grinding food.
Answer: Molar
Which word means: Inflammation of the gum flap around a partially erupted tooth, most often a lower wisdom tooth.
Answer: Pericoronitis
Words like glossitis come up in the daily game
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