Clinical Diagnosis · Reproductive System · Medium

Mastitis

Meaning: Inflammation of breast tissue, often from infection during breastfeeding, causing pain, redness and fever.

In practice: The breastfeeding mother had a hot, red, tender wedge on her breast typical of mastitis.

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 clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: Thin, concave, spoon-shaped nails that could hold a drop of water.

Which word means: Raised levels of nitrogen-containing waste such as urea and creatinine in the blood.

Words like mastitis come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More clinical diagnosis terms · All medical words