SENILE ATROPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Senile atrophy is a medical term used to describe the natural cellular and tissue degeneration that occurs in the aging process, particularly affecting the brain. It refers to the progressive loss of neurons and the shrinking or wasting away of brain tissue in elderly individuals.
During the aging process, various changes take place in the brain as a result of the physiological wear and tear experienced over time. This can lead to the impairment of cognitive functions, memory loss, and a decline in overall mental ability. Senile atrophy is commonly associated with the development of certain neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
The exact causes of senile atrophy are still not fully understood, but factors like genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, and oxidative stress are believed to play a role. These factors can contribute to the accumulation of abnormal proteins and the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain, which interfere with cellular function and cause the death of neurons.
While senile atrophy is a normal part of the aging process, its impact on an individual's cognitive abilities can vary significantly. Some individuals may experience mild manifestations, while others may suffer more severe impairments. Medical interventions and lifestyle modifications, such as physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, and a healthy diet, have been shown to potentially slow down the progression of senile atrophy and mitigate cognitive decline.
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• A general wasting of the tissues in old age due to the slowing of the anabolic processes.
• Shrinking of the tissues consequent upon the involution of old age.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SENILE ATROPHY
- aenile atrophy
- zenile atrophy
- xenile atrophy
- denile atrophy
- eenile atrophy
- wenile atrophy
- swnile atrophy
- ssnile atrophy
- sdnile atrophy
- srnile atrophy
- s4nile atrophy
- s3nile atrophy
- sebile atrophy
- semile atrophy
- sejile atrophy
- sehile atrophy
- senule atrophy
- senjle atrophy
- senkle atrophy
- senole atrophy
Etymology of SENILE ATROPHY
The word "senile atrophy" can be broken down into two components: "senile" and "atrophy".
- "Senile" is derived from the Latin word "senilis", meaning "aged, old". It comes from the Latin root "senex", which means "old man" or "elderly".
- "Atrophy" also has Latin origins, stemming from the word "atrophia", which means "wasting away". It is derived from the Greek term "atrophos", with "a-" implying "without" or "not", and "trophe", meaning "nourishment" or "growth".
When combined, "senile atrophy" refers to the dwindling or degeneration of an organism's tissues, particularly associated with old age.
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