inflammation

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

Other forms: inflammations

An inflammation means "setting something on fire." Maybe it's a political movement that suddenly takes hold, romantic feelings, the heat making your shoes feel tight, or someone lighting a campfire.

Inflammation comes from the root inflame, from the Latin word inflammare meaning "to set on fire with passion." That meaning sounds pretty good, but an inflammation on your face, like a terrible rash, probably isn't going to inflame anyone's passion, at least until the swelling goes down. It probably also causes pain and discomfort.

Definitions of inflammation

noun
the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up

“he tried to calm those who were in a state of extreme inflammation”

synonyms: excitation, excitement, fervor, fervour

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types:
fever pitch
a state of extreme excitement

sensation
a state of widespread public excitement and interest

type of:
emotional arousal
the arousal of strong emotions and emotional behavior
noun
arousal to violent emotion

synonyms: inflaming

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type of:
arousal, rousing
the act of arousing
noun
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat

synonyms: redness, rubor

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types:
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adenitis
inflammation of a gland or lymph node

alveolitis
inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs caused by inhaling dust; with repeated exposure the condition may become chronic

alveolitis, dry socket
inflammation in the socket of a tooth; sometimes occurs after a tooth is extracted and a blood clot fails to form

angiitis
inflammation of a blood vessel or lymph duct

aortitis
inflammation of the aorta

appendicitis
inflammation of the vermiform appendix

arteritis
inflammation of an artery

balanitis
inflammation of the head of the penis

balanoposthitis
inflammation of both the head of the penis and the foreskin

blepharitis
inflammation of the eyelids characterized by redness and swelling and dried crusts

bursitis
inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder

carditis
inflammation of the heart

catarrh
inflammation of the nose and throat with increased production of mucus

cellulitis
an inflammation of body tissue (especially that below the skin) characterized by fever and swelling and redness and pain

cervicitis
inflammation of the uterine cervix

cheilitis
inflammation and cracking of the skin of the lips

cholangitis
inflammation of the bile ducts

cholecystitis
inflammation of the gall bladder

chorditis
inflammation of the vocal cords

chorditis
inflammation of the spermatic cord

colitis, inflammatory bowel disease
inflammation of the colon

colpitis
inflammation of the vagina

colpocystitis
inflammation of the vagina and bladder

conjunctivitis, pinkeye
inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye

corditis
inflammation of the spermatic cord

costochondritis
inflammation at the junction of a rib and its cartilage

dacryocystitis
inflammation of the lacrimal sac causing obstruction of the tube draining tears into the nose

diverticulitis
inflammation of a diverticulum in the digestive tract (especially the colon); characterized by painful abdominal cramping and fever and constipation

cephalitis, encephalitis, phrenitis
inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus; symptoms include headache and neck pain and drowsiness and nausea and fever (`phrenitis' is no longer in scientific use)

encephalomyelitis
inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

endarteritis
inflammation of the inner lining of an artery

endocervicitis
inflammation of the mucous lining of the uterine cervix

enteritis
inflammation of the intestine (especially the small intestine); usually characterized by diarrhea

epicondylitis
painful inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues around an epicondyle

epididymitis
painful inflammation of the epididymis

epiglottitis
inflammation of the epiglottis; characterized by fever and a severe sore throat and difficulty in swallowing

episcleritis
inflammation of the sclera of the eye

esophagitis, oesophagitis
inflammation of the esophagus; often caused by gastroesophageal reflux

fibrositis
inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths)

fibromyositis
local inflammation of muscle and connective tissue

folliculitis
inflammation of a hair follicle

funiculitis
inflammation of a funiculus (especially an inflammation of the spermatic cord)

gastritis
inflammation of the lining of the stomach; nausea and loss of appetite and discomfort after eating

glossitis
inflammation of the tongue

hydrarthrosis
inflammation and swelling of a movable joint because of excess synovial fluid

ileitis
inflammation of the ileum

iridocyclitis
inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye

iridokeratitis
inflammation of the iris and cornea of the eye

iritis
inflammation of the iris

jejunitis
inflammation of the jejunum of the small intestine

jejunoileitis
inflammation of the jejunum and the ileum of the small intestine

keratitis
inflammation of the cornea causing watery painful eyes and blurred vision

keratoconjunctivitis
inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva

keratoiritis
inflammation of the cornea and the iris of the eye

keratoscleritis
inflammation of the cornea and sclera of the eye

founder, laminitis
inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse

laryngitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx; characterized by hoarseness or loss of voice and coughing

laryngopharyngitis
inflammation of the larynx and pharynx

laryngotracheobronchitis
inflammation of the larynx and trachea and bronchial passageways

lymphadenitis
inflammation of lymph nodes

lymphangitis
inflammation of a lymph vessel

mastitis
inflammation of a breast (or udder)

mastoiditis
inflammation of the mastoid

endometritis, metritis
inflammation of the lining of the uterus (of the endometrium)

myelitis
inflammation of the spinal cord

myositis
inflammation of muscle tissue

myometritis
inflammation of the myometrium

neuritis
inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function

oophoritis
inflammation of one or both ovaries

orchitis
inflammation of one or both testes; characterized by pain and swelling

osteitis
inflammation of a bone as a consequence of infection or trauma or degeneration

otitis
inflammation of the ear

ovaritis
inflammation of the ovaries

pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas; usually marked by abdominal pain

parametritis
inflammation of connective tissue adjacent to the uterus

parotitis
inflammation of one or both parotid glands

peritoneal inflammation, peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum

phalangitis
inflammation of a finger or toe

phlebitis
inflammation of a vein (usually in the legs)

pneumonitis
inflammation of the lungs; caused by a virus or an allergic reaction

posthitis
inflammation of the foreskin of the penis; usually caused by bacterial infection

proctitis
inflammation of the rectum; marked by bloody stools and a frequent urge to defecate; frequently associated with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

prostatitis
inflammation of the prostate gland characterized by perineal pain and irregular urination and (if severe) chills and fever

rachitis
inflammation of the vertebral column

radiculitis
inflammation of the radicle of a nerve

retinitis
inflammation of the retina

coryza, rhinitis
an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose (usually associated with nasal discharge)

sinusitis
inflammation of one of the paranasal sinuses

salpingitis
inflammation of a Fallopian tube (usually the result of infection spreading from the vagina or uterus) or of a Eustachian tube

scleritis
inflammation of the sclera

sialadenitis
inflammation of the salivary glands

splenitis
inflammation of the spleen

spondylitis
inflammation of a spinal joint; characterized by pain and stiffness

stomatitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth

synovitis
inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines a synovial joint; results in pain and swelling

tarsitis
inflammation of the eyelid

tendinitis, tendonitis, tenonitis
inflammation of a tendon

thyroiditis
inflammation of the thyroid gland

tonsillitis
inflammation of the tonsils (especially the palatine tonsils)

tracheitis
inflammation of the trachea

tracheobronchitis
common respiratory infection characterized by inflammation of the trachea and the bronchi

tympanitis
inflammation of the inner ear

ulitis
inflammation of the gums

ureteritis
inflammation of the ureter

uveitis
inflammation of the uvea of the eye

uvulitis
inflammation of the uvula

vaginitis
inflammation of the vagina (usually associated with candidiasis)

valvulitis
inflammation of a valve (especially of a cardiac valve as a consequence of rheumatic fever)

vasculitis
inflammation of a blood vessel

vasovesiculitis
inflammation of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles; usually occurring with prostatitis

vesiculitis
inflammation of a seminal vesicle (usually in conjunction with prostatitis)

vulvitis
inflammation of the vulva

vulvovaginitis
inflammation of the vulva and the vagina

shin splints
painful inflammation of the muscles around the shins; frequent among runners

Paget's disease, osteitis deformans
a disease of bone occurring in the middle aged and elderly; excessive bone destruction sometimes leading to bone pain and fractures and skeletal deformities

housemaid's knee
swelling of the bursa in the knee (due to trauma or excessive kneeling)

water on the knee
hydrarthrosis affecting the knee

dermatomyositis
myositis characterized by weakness of limb and neck muscles and much muscle pain and swelling accompanied by skin rash affecting cheeks and eyelids and neck and chest and limbs; progression and severity vary among individuals

polymyositis
myositis characterized by weakness of limb and neck muscles and much muscle pain and swelling; progression and severity vary among individuals

inclusion body myositis
myositis characterized by weakness of limb muscles (especially the thighs and wrists and fingers); sometimes involves swallowing muscles; onset after 50 and slowly progressive; seen more often in men than in women

Marie-Strumpell disease, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid spondylitis
a chronic form of spondylitis primarily in males and marked by impaired mobility of the spine; sometimes leads to ankylosis

rheumatic aortitis
aortitis occurring in rheumatic fever

periarteritis
inflammation of the outer coat of an artery

polyarteritis
inflammation of several arteries

Takayasu's arteritis, pulseless disease
disorder characterized by the absence of a pulse in both arms and in the carotid arteries

temporal arteritis
inflammation of the temporal arteries; characterized by headaches and difficulty chewing and (sometimes) visual impairment

ophthalmia, ophthalmitis
severe conjunctivitis

farmer's lung, thresher's lung
alveolitis caused by an allergic reaction to fungal spores in the dust that is inhaled from moldy hay

bagascosis, bagassosis
alveolitis caused by inhaling bagasse (sugarcane dust)

Crohn's disease, regional enteritis, regional ileitis
a serious chronic and progressive inflammation of the ileum producing frequent bouts of diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea and fever and weight loss

irritable bowel syndrome, mucous colitis, spastic colon
recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress

ulcerative colitis
a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever and chills and profuse diarrhea

endocarditis
inflammation of the endocardium and heart valves

myocardial inflammation, myocarditis
inflammation of the myocardium (the muscular tissue of the heart)

pancarditis
inflammation of the entire heart (the epicardium and the myocardium and the endocardium)

pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium

acute hemorrhagic encephalitis
encephalitis that resembles apoplexy due to blood extravasation

equine encephalitis, equine encephalomyelitis
encephalitis caused by a virus that is transmitted by a mosquito from an infected horse

acute inclusion body encephalitis, herpes encephalitis, herpes simplex encephalitis
common form of acute encephalitis caused by herpes simplex 1; usually affects the temporal and frontal lobes

leukoencephalitis
inflammation of the white matter of the brain

cerebromeningitis, encephalomeningitis, meningoencephalitis
inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and their meninges

panencephalitis
diffuse inflammation of the entire brain

encephalitis lethargica, epidemic encephalitis, lethargic encephalitis, sleeping sickness, sleepy sickness
an encephalitis that was epidemic between 1915 and 1926; symptoms include paralysis of the extrinsic eye muscle and extreme muscular weakness

West Nile encephalitis
encephalitis caused by the West Nile virus; can be fatal in humans and horses and birds

necrotizing enteritis
enteritis characterized by bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal pain

acute gastritis
gastritis caused by ingesting an irritant (as too much aspirin)

chronic gastritis
persistent gastritis can be a symptom of a gastric ulcer or pernicious anemia or stomach cancer or other disorders

acute glossitis
glossitis resulting from injury or infection and characterized by swelling and pain

chronic glossitis
glossitis with atrophy of tongue tissue; sometimes accompanies pernicious anemia

Moeller's glossitis, glossodynia exfoliativa
a superficial form of glossitis marked by irregular red patches on the tongue and sensitivity to hot or spicy food

labyrinthitis, otitis interna
inflammation of the inner ear; can cause vertigo and vomiting

myositis trichinosa, trichiniasis, trichinosis
infestation by trichina larvae that are transmitted by eating inadequately cooked meat (especially pork); larvae migrate from the intestinal tract to the muscles where they become encysted

osteomyelitis
an inflammation of bone and bone marrow (usually caused by bacterial infection)

otitis externa
inflammation of the external ear (including auricle and ear canal)

otitis media
inflammation of the middle ear; common in children

multiple neuritis, polyneuritis
inflammation of many or all of the peripheral nerves (as in leprosy)

retrobulbar neuritis
inflammation of the optic nerve behind the eye; common in multiple sclerosis

thrombophlebitis
phlebitis in conjunction with the formation of a blood clot (thrombus)

chorioretinitis
inflammation of the choroid layer behind the retina

pansinusitis
inflammation of all of the paranasal sinuses

vesicular stomatitis
a disease of horses, cattle, swine, and occasionally human beings; caused by the vesiculovirus

lateral epicondylitis, lateral humeral epicondylitis, tennis elbow
painful inflammation of the tendon at the outer border of the elbow resulting from overuse of lower arm muscles (as in twisting of the hand)

tendonous synovitis, tendosynovitis, tenosynovitis
inflammation of a tendon and its enveloping sheath

allergic rhinitis
rhinitis caused by an allergic reaction

type of:
symptom
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
noun
the act of setting something on fire

synonyms: firing, ignition, kindling, lighting

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type of:
burning, combustion
the act of burning something

Pronunciation

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

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inflammation

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

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inflammation

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

/ˈɪnfləˌmeɪʃən/

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

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