Which term refers to abnormal softening of tissue?

The term "malacia" refers specifically to the abnormal softening of tissue. In medical terminology, this suffix is commonly used to describe conditions affecting various types of tissues in the body where they become softer than normal, often due to disease or injury. For example, "osteomalacia" refers to the softening of bones, indicating a specific condition characterized by the weakening of bone structure.

The suffix "-osis" denotes a condition or disease, but it does not specifically imply softening. "-megaly" refers to enlargement, often used in terms like "hepatomegaly" which means enlargement of the liver, while "-stenosis" signifies narrowing, as seen in terms like "aortic stenosis," referring to the narrowing of the aorta. Therefore, "malacia" is the only term that accurately conveys the idea of softening of tissues, making it the correct choice in this context.