Atrophy is best described as what?

Atrophy is best described as what?

• A. Increase in muscle size
• B. Temporary joint swelling
• C. Increase in bone density
• D. Decrease in muscle size and function

Answer: (D)

Atrophy is the wasting away or shrinking of tissue due to reduced use, nerve supply, aging, or disease, leading to smaller muscle fibers and weaker function. In muscles, this means a decrease in both size and strength, which is exactly described by a decrease in muscle size and function. The other phrases describe growth or swelling: increasing muscle size is hypertrophy, temporary joint swelling is edema, and increasing bone density is not related to muscle wasting.

Atrophy is the wasting away or shrinking of tissue due to reduced use, nerve supply, aging, or disease, leading to smaller muscle fibers and weaker function. In muscles, this means a decrease in both size and strength, which is exactly described by a decrease in muscle size and function. The other phrases describe growth or swelling: increasing muscle size is hypertrophy, temporary joint swelling is edema, and increasing bone density is not related to muscle wasting.