DISUSE ATROPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Disuse atrophy refers to a pathological condition in which a tissue or organ undergoes a decrease in size and function as a result of prolonged inactivity or lack of use. It occurs when the normal stimuli or demands that are required for the maintenance and development of the tissue or organ are reduced or absent.
Disuse atrophy can affect various body parts, such as muscles, bones, and organs. When a muscle is not used or stimulated regularly, it can experience disuse atrophy, leading to a decrease in muscle size (muscle wasting) and a loss of strength. Similarly, bones can also undergo disuse atrophy when they are not subjected to weight-bearing activities, resulting in reduced bone density and increased risk of fractures.
The mechanisms behind disuse atrophy involve a complex interplay of cellular and molecular processes. The reduced level of activity or mechanical stress on the tissue triggers signaling pathways that result in the degradation of proteins, decreased protein synthesis, increased cell death, and alterations in cellular metabolism. These processes ultimately lead to the shrinking and weakening of the affected tissue or organ.
Disuse atrophy can occur in various conditions, such as prolonged bed rest, immobilization due to injury, paralysis, and certain neurological disorders. It is important to address and prevent disuse atrophy through regular exercise, physical therapy, and maintaining an active lifestyle, as it can have significant negative consequences on overall health and functional abilities.
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Atrophy of a part from long disuse, as that of the muscles of a fractured limb.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DISUSE ATROPHY
- sisuse atrophy
- xisuse atrophy
- cisuse atrophy
- fisuse atrophy
- risuse atrophy
- eisuse atrophy
- dususe atrophy
- djsuse atrophy
- dksuse atrophy
- dosuse atrophy
- d9suse atrophy
- d8suse atrophy
- diause atrophy
- dizuse atrophy
- dixuse atrophy
- diduse atrophy
- dieuse atrophy
- diwuse atrophy
- disyse atrophy
- dishse atrophy
Etymology of DISUSE ATROPHY
The term "disuse atrophy" consists of two main components: "disuse" and "atrophy".
1. Disuse: The word "disuse" comes from the Old French word "desuser", which means "to disuse" or "to neglect". It can be broken down further into "dis-", meaning "not" or "away", and "user", meaning "to use".
2. Atrophy: The term "atrophy" originates from the Late Latin word "atrophia", which stems from the Greek word "atrophos". "Atrophos" combines "a-", a negation prefix, and "trophe", meaning "nourishment" or "food". This suggests the idea of lack of nourishment or wasting away.
When combined, "disuse atrophy" refers to the wasting away of body tissues or organs due to inactivity, lack of use, or neglect.
