What is the correct medical term for inflammation of bone caused by infection?

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Study for the Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question with explanations and hints. Ace your exam!

The term "osteomyelitis" specifically refers to an infection of the bone, which leads to inflammation. This condition is often caused by bacteria or fungi that invade the bone, particularly following an injury, surgery, or through the bloodstream from another infected area of the body. The suffix "-itis" in medical terminology indicates inflammation, and "osteo-" pertains to bone, clearly defining osteomyelitis as the inflammation of bone due to infection.

Other terms listed do not accurately describe the inflammation of bone due to infection. For instance, "myositis" refers to inflammation of muscle tissue, while "osteitis" indicates inflammation of the bone, but does not necessarily imply that it is due to an infection. "Polymyositis," on the other hand, is a specific type of myositis involving multiple muscle groups and does not relate to bone at all. Thus, osteomyelitis remains the precise term for this specific condition involving infection-related bone inflammation.

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