Medical Suffix
-malacia
-malacia means softening (from the Greek).
What does -malacia mean?
The suffix -malacia means softening. It comes from the Greek word for soft and is used at the end of medical terms that describe tissue becoming abnormally soft.
For example, osteomalacia means softening of the bones, and chondromalacia means softening of cartilage. In each case, -malacia tells you that something is becoming soft, and the first part of the word tells you which tissue is affected.
Learning -malacia helps you understand terms about tissue losing its normal firmness, which can happen in various bone, cartilage, and other conditions.
Example words using -malacia
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does -malacia mean?
-malacia is a suffix meaning softening.
What does osteomalacia mean?
It means softening of the bones.
What does chondromalacia mean?
It means softening of cartilage.
Where does -malacia come from?
It comes from the Greek word for soft.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.