What does -itis in a medical term typically indicate?

The suffix “-itis” is commonly used in medical terminology to denote inflammation or infection in a specific organ or tissue. When a medical term includes “-itis,” it signifies that there is an inflammatory process occurring, which is often indicative of an underlying infection, although it can also arise due to other causes such as autoimmune reactions or allergens.

For example, conditions like arthritis indicate inflammation of the joints, while bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. In each case, the presence of “-itis” points to a pathological state that typically involves redness, swelling, heat, and pain associated with the body's immune response.

The other options represent different medical concepts: “growth or tumor” refers to terminology often associated with “-oma,” surgical procedures use suffixes like “-ectomy” or “-otomy,” and diagnostic tests may involve terms that include “-gram” or “-scopy.” Therefore, these alternatives do not align with the specific meaning of “-itis.”