-malacia meaning Soft?

-malacia meaning Soft?

• A. Plast-
• B. -osis
• C. -malacia
• D. Enter-

Answer: (C)

The suffix -malacia signals softening of tissue or an organ. It comes from a Greek root meaning soft, so when attached to a word root it describes a process of softening—for example, osteomalacia is softening of bone, and chondromalacia patellae is softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. The other options point to different ideas: plast- means to mold or form (as in plastic surgery), -osis denotes a condition or process (often disease-related), and enter- relates to the intestine. So -malacia is the suffix that specifically conveys softening.

The suffix -malacia signals softening of tissue or an organ. It comes from a Greek root meaning soft, so when attached to a word root it describes a process of softening—for example, osteomalacia is softening of bone, and chondromalacia patellae is softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. The other options point to different ideas: plast- means to mold or form (as in plastic surgery), -osis denotes a condition or process (often disease-related), and enter- relates to the intestine. So -malacia is the suffix that specifically conveys softening.