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 1.
Atrophy may be physiologic or pathological.
Physiological atrophy is commonly seen in the normal development of embryological structures (e.g. notochord) 1 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
- ischaemia/reduction of blood supply 1
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