Atropy

Atropy part 1

Types:
Atrophy may be physiological or pathological

A. Physiological atrophy-
Physiological atrophy is common during normal development In the fetus- many structures form during embryogenic development, and subsequently undergo regression. The branchial clefts, notocord and thyroglossal ducts.
• Thymus of childhood undergoes atrophy in adult life.
• Uterus after parturition.
Pathologic atrophy-
Pathologic atrophy has several causes and it can be local or generalized. The common causes of atrophy are the following
• Generalized atrophy-
• Starvation atrophy.
Senile atrophy
• Endocrine atrophy.
• Osteoporosis.
• Local atrophy-
• Ischaemic atrophy.
• Pressure atrophy.
Disuse atrophy.
· Neuropathic atrophy.
• Atrophy secondary to autoimmune disease.
• Idiopathic atrophy.
The common causes of atrophy-
• Decreased workload (atrophy of disuse).
Loss of innervation (denervation atrophy).
• Diminished blood supply.
• Inadequate nutrition.
• Loss of endocrine stimulation.
• Aging (senile atrophy).
• Pressure.
..Decreased workload (atrophy of disuse).
When a fractured bone is immobilized in a plaster cast or when a patientis restricted to complete bed rest, skeletal muscle atrophy rapidly ensues.
• Loss of innervation (denervation atrophy):
The normal metabolism and function of skeletal muscle an opendent on its nerve supply. Dan...... to the nerves leads

• Diminished blood supply. A gradual decrease in blood supply (ischemia) to a tissue as a result of slowly developing arterial occlusive disease results in atrophy of the tissue.