Atrophy

Definition

The wasting away or decrease in size of tissue or organs from disuse or disease. Your body's harsh 'use it or lose it' policy made anatomically visible.

Example Usage

Months in a cast resulted in significant muscle atrophy, leaving his leg looking like it belonged to a chicken rather than an adult human.

Origin

From Greek 'atrophia,' meaning 'want of food' or 'wasting'

Fun Fact

Astronauts can lose up to 20% of muscle mass during long space missions due to atrophy, making reentry both a physics and physical therapy challenge.

Source: Anatomy and rehabilitation terminology

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