In medical terms, what does the suffix "-itis" typically refer to?

The suffix "-itis" is commonly used in medical terminology to denote inflammation of a particular organ or tissue. When you see a term that ends with "-itis," it indicates that there is an inflammatory process taking place. For instance, "arthritis" refers to inflammation of the joints, and "gastritis" refers to inflammation of the stomach lining. This suffix helps healthcare professionals quickly identify and communicate the nature of a condition, particularly that inflammation is involved.

In contrast, the other options relate to different medical phenomena. Swelling can be a result of inflammation but is not specifically defined by the "-itis" suffix. Pain is a symptom that may accompany inflammation but does not define it. Infection can lead to inflammation, but "itis" specifically describes the inflammatory aspect rather than the infectious process itself. Thus, the use of "-itis" clearly designates the presence of inflammation, making it the correct choice.