# dystrophy

/ˈdɪstɹəfi/ (US) · /dˈɪstɹəfi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dystrophy
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a medical condition where a part of the body, like a muscle or a nerve, becomes weaker or smaller than it should be. It usually happens because of a lack of something important, like a specific protein.

For teachers: a pathological condition characterized by the degeneration or wasting away of a specific tissue or organ. Often used in medical contexts to describe muscular or neurological atrophy.

## Examples

- The doctor diagnosed the patient with muscular dystrophy.
- Researchers are working on new treatments to slow the progression of the disease and prevent further dystrophy in the legs.
- The patient's symptoms suggested a form of dystrophy that was not previously documented, requiring a comprehensive genetic analysis to identify the underlying cause of the tissue degeneration.

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