Atrophy

Atrophy (or atrophic) refers to the shrinking or loss of tissue in an organ or part of the body. This change is benign (non-cancerous). It describes how the tissue looks when examined under a microscope rather than being a specific medical diagnosis.

What causes atrophy?

Atrophy of tissue can occur for several reasons, including:

• Decreased blood supply: Every organ and tissue needs blood to stay healthy. If the blood flow to an organ decreases for an extended period, the organ may shrink or become smaller to adapt. For example, tissues around a large tumor may become atrophic because the pressure from the tumor reduces blood flow.
• Disuse (lack of use): When organs or tissues are not regularly used, they can shrink or weaken over time. This often happens with muscles not exercised after an injury, leading to visible muscle shrinkage even without a microscope.
• Decreased hormone stimulation: Hormones help keep specific organs healthy and functioning. As hormone levels naturally decline with age, tissues that rely on these hormones, such as the breast or the endometrium (lining of the uterus), may become smaller and atrophic.
• Chronic inflammation: Long-lasting inflammation can damage tissues over time, causing them to shrink or lose cells. An example of this is atrophic gastritis, where chronic inflammation of the stomach lining leads to atrophy.

Where is this change commonly seen in the body?

Atrophy can happen anywhere in the body but is commonly seen in:

• Muscles, particularly after periods of inactivity.
• Breast tissue and the lining of the uterus (endometrium), especially after menopause.
• Brain tissue in older adults.
• Organs or tissues affected by decreased blood flow.
• The stomach, especially in conditions like atrophic gastritis.

What are the symptoms of atrophy?

Symptoms of atrophy depend on the organ or tissue involved:

• Muscle atrophy may cause weakness or visible shrinking of muscles.
• Atrophy of the breast or reproductive tissues usually does not cause symptoms but might lead to noticeable physical changes.
• Brain atrophy may cause memory problems or changes in thinking.
• Stomach atrophy, such as in atrophic gastritis, might cause digestive symptoms or vitamin deficiencies.

In many cases, especially with internal organs, atrophy may cause no symptoms and might only be noticed during medical examinations or imaging tests.

What does atrophy look like under the microscope?

Under a microscope, atrophic tissue appears thinner or smaller than normal. The cells may look smaller, and the spaces between them may be more noticeable. These microscopic changes reflect how the cells have adapted to decreased use, reduced blood supply, lower hormonal stimulation, or chronic inflammation.

About this article

Doctors wrote this article to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.