What does the suffix "-itis" signify in medical terminology?

The suffix "-itis" signifies inflammation in medical terminology. It is derived from the Greek word for inflammation and is commonly used to indicate a condition characterized by swelling, pain, redness, and heat in affected tissues. Conditions such as "arthritis" (inflammation of the joints) and "bronchitis" (inflammation of the bronchial tubes) clearly display this suffix and reflect the underlying inflammatory process involved in the pathology.

The other options are related to different medical suffixes. For example, suffixes that might indicate "stoppage" or "surgical removal" serve different purposes in terms of denoting conditions or procedures, but they do not convey the concept of inflammation. Understanding that "-itis" specifically denotes an inflammatory process is crucial in recognizing and understanding various medical conditions.