Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
atrophy
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right). Alzheimer disease aging; skin wrinkles
For Students
One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).
atrophy summary
Quizzes
full human skeleton
Diseases, Disorders, and More: A Medical Quiz
Encyclopaedia Britannica thistle graphic to be used with a Mendel/Consumer quiz in place of a photograph.
44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes
Related Questions
Read Next
People wearing surgical masks (also called face mask or medical masks or safety masks) walk through the city center of Milan, Italy on Feb. 23, 2020. Coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic
How Do Face Masks Control the Spread of Disease?
Scanning electron micrograph showing the spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Leptospira. These organisms cause leptospirosis.
8 Zoonotic Diseases
Scan of human brain
What Are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
close up of 3d microscopic blue bacteria
What Was Life Like Before We Knew About Germs?
H1N1 influenza virus particles. Colorized transmission electron micrograph. Surface proteins on surface of the virus particles shown in black. Influenza flu
10 Ways of Looking at Cells
Discover
Estimated battle casualties, Normandy invasion, World War II. WWII, D-Day
Estimated Battle Casualties During the Normandy Invasion and Campaign to Liberate Paris (June–August 1944)
Demystified - Do Lemmings Really Commit Mass Suicide? illustration
Do Lemmings Really Commit Mass Suicide?
NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.
10 Great Sports Rivalries
Nelson Mandela, undated photo.
15 Nelson Mandela Quotes
Salem Witch Trials. Photogravure after the painting by Walter McEwen titled - The Witches - circa 1890s.
How Rye Bread May Have Caused the Salem Witch Trials
Lake Mead (the impounded Colorado River) at the Hoover Dam. The light-coloured band of rock above the shoreline shows the decrease in water level in the first few years of the 21st century.
6 Lakes That Are Drying Up
Middle East bee locator map
Are the Middle East and the Near East the Same Thing?

atrophy: Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/atrophy

News •

After Decades of Atrophy, Canada Vows to Beef Up Its Military. Can It Deliver? • June 14, 2025, 11:44 PM ET (New York Times)

Photos

One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).
Alzheimer disease
aging; skin wrinkles
See All Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

Jean-Martin Charcot
Jean-Martin Charcot
French neurologist
Duchenne, Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand
Duchenne de Boulogne
French neurologist

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
full human skeleton
Diseases, Disorders, and More: A Medical Quiz
Encyclopaedia Britannica thistle graphic to be used with a Mendel/Consumer quiz in place of a photograph.
44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes