<unk>  is abnormal softening of a biological tissue, most often cartilage. The word is derived from Greek μαλακός, malakos = soft. Usually the combining form<unk>  suffixed to another combining form that denotes the affected tissue assigns a more specific name to each such disorder, as follows: * Osteomalacia (rickets), a bone disorder from vitamin D deficiency * Chondromalacia, softening of cartilage (often refers to chondromalacia patellae when mentioned without further specification) * Chondromalacia patellae, a disorder of cartilage under the kneecap * Bronchomalacia, a disorder of the bronchial tubes' cartilage * Laryngomalacia, a disorder of the larynx's cartilage * Tracheomalacia, a disorder of the trachea's cartilage * Keratomalacia, an eye disorder from vitamin A deficiency * Myelomalacia, a disorder of the spinal cord * Cerebral softening (encephalomalacia), localized softening of brain tissue
Malacia
Bronchomalacia
Laryngomalacia
Tracheobronchomalacia
Tracheomalacia
Croup
Bronchocele
Adenoiditis