Pathology · Skeletal System · Medium

Osteomalacia

Meaning: Softening of adult bone caused by defective mineralisation of osteoid, often due to vitamin D deficiency.

In practice: Looser zones appear as lucent pseudofracture bands crossing the cortex perpendicular to its surface.

Word parts

  • osteo- means bone
  • -malacia means softening

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Quick check

Two questions on related pathology words.

Which word means: A malignant tumour arising from connective tissue such as bone or muscle.

Which word means: A closed sac filled with fluid, air, or semi-solid material within body tissue.

Words like osteomalacia come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More pathology terms · All medical words