Pathologic & Physiologic Atrophy Research Assignment (Essay Sample)

Atrophy
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Atrophy
Atrophy is the shrinking in the size of an organ, tissues, or cells. The causes of atrophy include a significant reduction in the supply of nerve to the target organ, loss of hormonal support, poor circulation of blood, minimal usage of an organ or body tissue (maybe due to lack of exercise), inadequate nourishment or disease affecting the tissue itself (Powers, 2004). Atrophy can be physiologic or pathologic.
Pathologic atrophy
Pathologic atrophy arises as a result of the loss of nutritional and trophic support due to other diseases or a disease bearing on the tissue itself. Pathologic atrophy is divided into general and local depending on the cause. General pathological atrophy occurs in instances where there is, insufficient nutrition and chronic infection or intoxication. On the other hand, local pathological atrophy arises from issues like dysfunction in control of the trophic nerves, disorders of the endocrine glands and that of the of the central nervous system, insufficient supply of blood, lack of use, or from the effects of physiological and chemical (Barton & Morris, 2003). Several clinical examples of pathological atrophy include atrophy of the muscles in the extremities after prolonged immobilization, atrophy of the optic nerve after removal of an eye and atrophy of the kidney in instances of embolism of the urethra.
Physiologic atrophy
Physiologic atrophy is common during the early developmental stage. During fetal development, some embryonic structures undergo atrophy. These structures include thyroglossal duct and notochord (Nishimura et al., 2004). The uterus also undergoes atrophy shortly after parturition which is also an example of physiological atrophy. Other examples are a trophy of the sex glands, skin, and bones in old people and atrophy of the thymus during puberty.
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