What does "itis" refer to when seen at the end of a word?

The term "itis," when used as a suffix in medical terminology, specifically indicates inflammation of an organ or tissue. For instance, appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix, and arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "itis," which signifies an inflammatory condition, thereby clearly associating it with processes that lead to swelling, redness, heat, and pain in the affected area.

The other options may describe different medical conditions or states but do not accurately reflect the meaning of "itis." Abnormal growth refers to tumors or lesions, a normal state indicates homeostasis or absence of disease, and decay pertains to the breakdown of tissue or structures, which can be related to different pathological processes but not specifically to inflammation. Thus, the use of "itis" is primarily focused on inflammatory conditions in the medical field.