In medical terminology, what does the suffix -itis refer to?

The suffix -itis is commonly used in medical terminology to denote inflammation. Conditions that end with -itis indicate that there is an inflammatory process occurring in the affected area or organ. For example, appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix, and bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The use of this suffix is essential for healthcare professionals to communicate specific conditions accurately, as inflammation is a key response to injury or infection in the body. This distinctiveness is what makes -itis a vital term in medical language, helping to focus on the inflammatory aspect rather than just an infection, pain, or removal, which are addressed using other terms or suffixes.