Which of the following refers to a softening of tissues?

The term that refers to the softening of tissues is represented by the suffix "-malacia." This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a pathological condition characterized by the softening of tissues in various parts of the body. For example, "chondromalacia" refers specifically to the softening of cartilage.

The other suffixes have distinct meanings that do not relate to the softening of tissues. The suffix "-osis" denotes a condition or disease, typically implying an abnormal state or increase rather than a softening. The suffix "-plasty" indicates surgical formation or repair of a body part, such as in "rhinoplasty," which refers to reshaping the nose. Lastly, "-scopies" refers to examination or observation with a scope, such as in "endoscopy," where a device is used to view the interior of a hollow organ. Each of these terms serves a different purpose in medical language, making "-malacia" the correct choice for indicating tissue softening.