1. Health

Discuss in my forum

Atrophy

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Progressive degeneration or shrinkage of muscle tissue or nerve tissue.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), two types of atrophy are common: brain atrophy (due to demyelination and destruction of nerve cells) and muscle atrophy (due to disuse of specific muscles).

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.