What term describes the inflammatory process occurring where a tendon attaches to bone?

• A. Tendinitis
• B. Enthesitis
• C. Arthritis
• D. Tendinopathy

Answer: (B)

The term that describes the inflammatory process occurring at the site where a tendon attaches to bone is known as enthesitis. Enthesitis specifically refers to inflammation at the enthesis, which is the point of attachment of tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules to bone. This condition is often associated with spondyloarthritis and can manifest as pain, swelling, and tenderness at these sites of attachment.

In contrast, tendinitis typically refers to inflammation of a tendon itself, rather than the attachment site. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint and involves the synovial membrane rather than the tendon attachment. Tendinopathy is a broader term that encompasses various tendon injuries, including degeneration and chronic pain, rather than focusing solely on inflammation at the tendon-bone junction. Thus, enthesitis is the most precise term for the inflammatory process at the tendon insertion point on the bone.