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Atrophy is “the reduction in size of an organ or tissue mass, often after disuse.”[1] Sometimes the body cells affected just shrink but in other cases their number also declines. During this process, it can happen that the tissue affected by atrophy changes shape or gets replaced by fatty or connective tissue.[2]
There are different types of atrophy. A common form is the atrophy of old people. It is genetically determined that elderly people tend to suffer from atrophy. All organs can be affected but brain, liver, heart, and skin are especially vulnerable. Another type of atrophy is involution which occurs when the function of an organ is no longer needed. The organs concerned are thymus, breast, and ovaries. For example, the thymus is almost completely replaced by fatty tissue during puberty. In addition to that, atrophy can be caused by pressure. For instance, a brain tumor puts pressure on the surrounding tissue which leads to an atrophy of the brain. Another possible trigger for atrophy are inflammations. For example, the disease is a likely result of a chronically inflamed thyroid or pancreas. A common reason of atrophy is also inactivity. Muscle atrophy occurs frequently among patients who are not able to move due to paralysis, injuries, or a longer period of bed rest. Furthermore, hunger can cause atrophy as well. The medical condition affects people who have been undernourished or whose digestive system does not absorb enough nutrients. Finally, cachexia is an extreme form of atrophy. Patients suffering from this type are haggard, enfeebled, and have no appetite. Usually, cachexia is caused by wasting diseases like tuberculosis, severe illnesses of liver and kidneys, malignant tumors, or chronic intoxication with lead or quicksilver.[3]
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir: La Loge. 1874. https://1tq45j21k9qr27g1703pgsja-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/renoir-1280x640.jpg
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