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

The suffix "-itis" is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate inflammation of a specific organ or tissue. For example, "arthritis" refers to the inflammation of the joints, and "bronchitis" indicates inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "itis," which directly translates to "inflammation." Recognizing this suffix helps in understanding the nature of various medical conditions, providing valuable insight into diagnoses and treatments related to inflammatory diseases.