Which term refers to bad development (muscle loss beyond normal)?

Which term refers to bad development (muscle loss beyond normal)?

• A. Atrophy
• B. Dystrophy
• C. Dysplasia
• D. Hypertrophy

Answer: (B)

Muscle size changes are described by terms that distinguish wasting, abnormal development, and enlargement. The concept here is recognizing that a decrease in muscle mass, or wasting, is called atrophy. This describes muscle loss beyond what’s expected with normal aging or use, often due to disuse, illness, or systemic factors. Dystrophy, on the other hand, refers to a disease process involving abnormal development that leads to degeneration, such as muscular dystrophy, where muscles progressively weaken and deteriorate as part of a genetic condition. Dysplasia means abnormal formation or development of tissue and is about structure formation rather than loss of muscle mass. Hypertrophy is the opposite of wasting—an increase in tissue size due to larger or more numerous cells. So for muscle loss beyond normal, the best match is atrophy.

Muscle size changes are described by terms that distinguish wasting, abnormal development, and enlargement. The concept here is recognizing that a decrease in muscle mass, or wasting, is called atrophy. This describes muscle loss beyond what’s expected with normal aging or use, often due to disuse, illness, or systemic factors.

Dystrophy, on the other hand, refers to a disease process involving abnormal development that leads to degeneration, such as muscular dystrophy, where muscles progressively weaken and deteriorate as part of a genetic condition. Dysplasia means abnormal formation or development of tissue and is about structure formation rather than loss of muscle mass. Hypertrophy is the opposite of wasting—an increase in tissue size due to larger or more numerous cells.

So for muscle loss beyond normal, the best match is atrophy.