Atrophy

Atrophy is a reduction in the size of an organ/tissue. Microscopically this is a reduction in cell size/volume caused by a reduction in protein synthesis and/or increased protein degradation .

Atrophy may be physiologic or pathological.

Physiological atrophy is commonly seen in the normal development of embryological structures (e.g. notochord)  or the female pelvic organs postmenopause.

Pathological atrophy can have many causes, including:

• inadequate nutrition
• reduced workload/usage, such as the reduction of skeletal muscle volume with disuse post fracture
• denervation leading to skeletal muscle atrophy
• decreased endocrine/neuroendocrine stimulation
• ischemia/reduction of blood supply