What is the medical term for softening of tissue?

The term for softening of tissue is indeed represented by the suffix "-malasia." This suffix is derived from the Greek word “malakos,” which means soft. In medical terminology, "-malasia" is used to describe a condition where a specific tissue or organ is abnormally soft, often indicating a pathological condition.

For instance, when used in a term like "chondromalacia," which refers to the softening of cartilage, it clearly designates the specific tissue affected and the nature of the change occurring in that tissue. Understanding this suffix allows for the comprehension of various medical conditions related to tissue softness or degenerative changes.

The other options represent different medical concepts. Necrosis refers to the death of tissue, indicating a more severe state than softening. The suffix “-itis” denotes inflammation, which may involve various changes in tissue but does not specifically refer to the condition of being soft. Similarly, “-emia” is a suffix used to describe blood conditions, particularly related to the presence of substances in the blood (e.g., anemia refers to a deficiency of red blood cells). Each of these terms highlights a specific aspect of medical language and pathology, but none indicates the softening of tissue as accurately as "-malasia