atrophy


atrophy

Decrease from previous normal size of the body or a part, cell, organ, or tissue. An organ or body part's cells may be reduced in number, size or both. Atrophy of some cells and organs is normal at certain points in the life cycle. Other causes include malnutrition, disease, disuse, injury, and hormone over- or underproduction.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on atrophy, visit Britannica.com.

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