Pathology · Musculoskeletal System · Medium
Dystrophy
Meaning: An inherited condition causing progressive degeneration and weakness of muscle.
In practice: Boys with the Duchenne type use their hands to climb up their legs when rising from the floor.
Word parts
- dys- means difficult or abnormal
- -trophy means growth or nourishment
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related pathology words.
Which word means: Small pouch of mucosa pushing through a weak point in the gut wall, usually the colon.
Answer: Diverticulum
Which word means: Reduced bone density, seen radiographically as increased lucency with thinned cortices.
Answer: Osteopenia
Words like dystrophy come up in the daily game
One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.