Dictionary:

hypotrophy

  (hī-pŏt'rə-fē)

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Progressive degeneration of an organ or tissue caused by loss of cells.

Progressive degeneration of an organ or tissue caused by loss of cells.

Premature progressive loss of vitality of certain tissues or organs, usually of the nervous system, leading to disorders or loss of function; applied especially to degenerative hereditary nervous system diseases of postnatal onset.

• cochlear a. — an inherited degeneration of the cochlear duct of dogs causing deafness which becomes evident after several weeks of age.
• hereditary neuronal a. of Swedish Lapland dogs — an autosomal recessive trait with lower motor neuron abiotrophy causing arthrogryposis, tetraplegia and muscle atrophy from 5 weeks of age.
• spinal cord a. — see hereditary neuronal abiotrophy of Swedish Lapland dogs (above).