What is the wasting of a muscle called?

What is the wasting of a muscle called?

• A. Contracture
• B. Dystrophy
• C. Atrophy
• D. Anomaly

Answer: (C)

Wasting of a muscle is called atrophy. Atrophy means a decrease in muscle size due to loss of muscle tissue, often from disuse, aging, poor nutrition, or interruption of nerve supply. In nursing care, you might see this in patients who are immobilized or on bed rest—the affected limb may appear smaller and be weaker. Atrophy can be reversible if caused by disuse and the muscle is used again with proper activity and nutrition, but reversal may be limited if nerve damage or a disease process is involved. This is different from a contracture, which is permanent tightening that limits movement; dystrophy refers to progressive muscle degeneration from disease; and an anomaly is an irregularity or abnormality.

Wasting of a muscle is called atrophy. Atrophy means a decrease in muscle size due to loss of muscle tissue, often from disuse, aging, poor nutrition, or interruption of nerve supply. In nursing care, you might see this in patients who are immobilized or on bed rest—the affected limb may appear smaller and be weaker. Atrophy can be reversible if caused by disuse and the muscle is used again with proper activity and nutrition, but reversal may be limited if nerve damage or a disease process is involved. This is different from a contracture, which is permanent tightening that limits movement; dystrophy refers to progressive muscle degeneration from disease; and an anomaly is an irregularity or abnormality.