Atrophy is generally called the process of tissue breakdown and reabsorption. According to the provided reference, it can be further classified based on its cause.
Understanding Atrophy
Atrophy refers to the decrease in the size of a cell, tissue, organ, or whole body. It's essentially the wasting away of body tissue. This process occurs because of cell loss or a decrease in cell size.
Types of Atrophy
| Type of Atrophy | Description |
|---|---|
| General Atrophy | The overall physiological process involving reabsorption and breakdown of tissues, including apoptosis. |
| Pathological Atrophy | Atrophy that occurs due to disease or loss of trophic support from other diseases. |
| Normal Body Development | Atrophy can also be part of normal body development and homeostasis. |
Processes Involved
- Reabsorption: The body reabsorbs cellular components.
- Breakdown of Tissues: Tissues are broken down.
- Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, a natural part of development and maintenance.
Examples
- Muscle Atrophy: Loss of muscle tissue due to lack of use.
- Brain Atrophy: Loss of neurons in the brain, seen in neurodegenerative diseases.
Therefore, while "atrophy" is the general term, it can be specified as pathological atrophy when related to disease. The definition of atrophy involves tissue breakdown, reabsorption, and apoptosis.
