The suffix -malacia denotes which of the following?

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Multiple Choice

The suffix -malacia denotes which of the following?

Explanation:
The suffix -malacia indicates softening of a tissue or structure. This is why terms like osteomalacia (softening of bone), chondromalacia (softening of cartilage), or laryngomalacia (softening of the larynx) use it. The other endings point to different concepts: -oma means a tumor, -megaly means enlargement, and -gram or -graph denotes a recording or written record. So when you see -malacia, you should think of softening rather than growth, enlargement, or recording.

The suffix -malacia indicates softening of a tissue or structure. This is why terms like osteomalacia (softening of bone), chondromalacia (softening of cartilage), or laryngomalacia (softening of the larynx) use it. The other endings point to different concepts: -oma means a tumor, -megaly means enlargement, and -gram or -graph denotes a recording or written record. So when you see -malacia, you should think of softening rather than growth, enlargement, or recording.

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