Dystrophy vs. Atrophy

Dystrophynoun

A wasting of body tissues, of genetic origin or due to inadequate or defective nutrition.

Dystrophynoun

any of several hereditary diseases of the muscular system characterized by weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles

Dystrophynoun

any degenerative disorder resulting from inadequate or faulty nutrition

Dystrophy

Dystrophy is the degeneration of tissue, due to disease or malnutrition, most likely due to heredity.

Atrophynoun

(pathology) A reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease, injury or lack of use.

Atrophyverb

(intransitive) To wither or waste away.

Atrophyverb

(transitive) To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.

Atrophynoun

A wasting away from lack of nourishment; diminution in bulk or slow emaciation of the body or of any part.

Atrophyverb

To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.

Atrophyverb

To waste away; to dwindle.

Atrophynoun

a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse

Atrophynoun

any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

Atrophyverb

undergo atrophy;

Atrophy

Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations (which can destroy the gene to build up the organ), poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, excessive amount of apoptosis of cells, and disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself.