Which medical suffix indicates softening?

The suffix that indicates softening is -malacia. This term derives from the Greek word "malakos," meaning "soft." It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe the softening of tissues or structures in the body. For example, the term osteomalacia refers to the softening of bones, typically due to a deficiency in vitamin D or calcium, leading to weakened bone structure.

The other suffixes do not convey the same meaning. -dysplasia refers to abnormal growth or development of cells, tissues, or organs, often associated with abnormalities; -stasis denotes a state of equilibrium or balance, often referring to the stopping or slowing of a flow (e.g., homeostasis); and -itis signifies inflammation of a particular organ or tissue (e.g., arthritis indicates inflammation of the joints). Thus, -malacia is uniquely characterized by the notion of softening in medical contexts.