What does cystitis refer to?

Cystitis refers specifically to inflammation of the bladder, which is often characterized by symptoms such as frequent urination, pain during urination, and lower abdominal discomfort. Though cystitis is frequently associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), it is specifically the bladder that is inflamed, distinguishing it from broader classifications of UTIs that may involve other parts of the urinary system.

While options such as kidney stones, prostate inflammation, and urinary tract infections involve related anatomical structures and conditions, they do not specifically refer to the inflammation of the bladder. Kidney stones pertain to mineral deposits that can form in the kidneys, which can cause pain but do not specifically indicate cystitis. Prostate inflammation, meanwhile, involves the prostate and is distinct from bladder conditions. Urinary tract infections, while they can cause cystitis, encompass a wider range of potential sites of infection and do not specifically denote bladder inflammation alone.

Thus, the identification of cystitis correlates most accurately with bladder infection, making this the correct answer in the context of this question.