Final answer:
Spondylitis, broken down as 'spondyl/o-' meaning 'vertebra' and '-itis' meaning 'inflammation,' refers to the inflammation of the vertebrae. It is related to osteomyelitis, which is an inflammation of bone tissues often due to bacterial infection, commonly caused by S. aureus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'spondylitis' is derived from the Greek words 'spondyl/o-' meaning 'vertebra' and '-itis' meaning 'inflammation'. Hence, spondylitis refers to the inflammation of the vertebrae, which is similar to osteomyelitis, an inflammation of bone tissues commonly caused by infection. In spondylitis, the inflammation can affect one or more of the vertebrae and can cause various symptoms such as back pain and stiffness. Osteomyelitis is specifically a severe condition where the bone infection can be acute or chronic, and it is most often triggered by bacterial agents like S. aureus. However, several other microorganisms can also contribute to such infections, ultimately leading to the severe inflammation of bone tissue, including the vertebral bones in the case of spondylitis.